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IT ACT SEC 69A

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS | IT ACT SEC 69A | 08TH JULY | INDIAN EXPRESS

/ July, 2022, UPSC Daily Current Affairs

SYLLABUS SECTION: GS II (GOVERNANCE)

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, Twitter company moved the Karnataka High Court against the Ministry’s content-blocking orders issued under IT ACT SEC 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

What is Section69(A)?

  • Section 69(A) of the IT Act, 2000 allows the Centre to issue blocking orders to social media intermediaries,
  • In the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state,
  • Friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above.
  • As per rules that govern these blocking orders, any request made by the government is sent to a review committee, which then issues these directions.
  • Blocking orders issued under Section 69(A) are typically confidential in nature.

Why has Twitter filed the lawsuit?

  • Twitter has claimed that many of the blocking orders are procedurally and substantively deficient under Section69(A).
  • These include aspects such as not giving prior notice to users before taking down content posted by them.
  • Meity has failed to demonstrate how some of the content it wants taken down falls under the purview of Section69(A).
  • Twitter has claims that the basis on which multiple accounts and posts have been flag by the Ministry is either over broad and arbitrary or disproportionate.
  • Twitter, some of the content flag by the Ministry may pertain to official accounts of political parties, blocking which could be violative of the right to free speech.
How has the government reacted?
  • In India, all including foreign Internet intermediaries/platforms have right to court and judicial review. But equally ALL intermediary/platforms operating here, have unambiguous obligation to comply with our laws and rules.
  • Social media has a lot of influence in our lives today. Its accountability is a valid question across the world. Countries and societies across the world are moving in the direction to make social media accountable.

Information Technology Act, 2000

  • The Information Technology Act, 2000 was enact by the Indian Parliament in 2000.
  • It is the primary law in India for matters related to cybercrime and e-commerce.
  • The act was enact to give legal sanction to electronic commerce and electronic transactions, to enable e-governance, and also to prevent cybercrime.
  • Under this law, for any crime involving a computer or a network locates in India, foreign nationals can also be charged.

Read more: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS