Relevance: GS-2 (Governance, Cyber Regulation)

Source: The Hindu, RTI Data (I4C)

Why in the News?

RTI data shows that in the first operational year of the Sahayog portal (October 2024–October 2025), the Government issued 2,312 blocking orders across major social media platforms for harmful or unlawful online content.

Scale of Content Blocking

  • Total orders: 2,312
  • Highest blocking requests:
  • WhatsApp: 1,392
  • Facebook: 255
  • YouTube: 176
  • Instagram: 169
  • Telegram: 123

Meta-owned platforms accounted for over 78% of all blocking orders.

Blocking requests spiked during Operation Sindoor, targeting foreign-linked online interference and coordinated misinformation.

Why Content Blocking Is Used

  • To curb misinformation, hate speech, fraud, and illegal activities.
  • To counter cross-border propaganda and coordinated influence operations.
  • To maintain public order and prevent real-world harm, especially on encrypted or fast-spreading platforms.

Way Ahead

  • Improve transparency and accountability in takedown processes.
  • Enhance procedural clarity under the Information Technology Rules.
  • Balance state security requirements with constitutional protections for freedom of speech.

About the Sahayog Portal

  • Launched under the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • A centralised system for issuing blocking orders to online intermediaries.
  • Enables real-time coordination between law enforcement agencies and digital platforms.

Prelims Value Box

  • Section 69A of the Information Technology Act empowers the Government to block access to online content in the interest of sovereignty, national security, public order, and preventing incitement.
  • Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) is the nodal body for online crime response and digital enforcement.

MCQ

Q. Consider the following statements regarding social media content blocking in India:

  1. Section 69A of the Information Technology Act permits content blocking in the interest of public order.
  2. The Sahayog portal is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  3. All blocking orders issued under Section 69A must be publicly disclosed.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A. One only
B. Two only
C. All three
D. None

 

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Recent Posts

Start Yours at Ajmal IAS – with Mentorship StrategyDisciplineClarityResults that Drives Success

Your dream deserves this moment — begin it here.