Centre is going to block the access to information under specific conditions of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
While answering a question about censoring new platforms for publication and broadcasting of media content like social networks and online video services, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told the Upper House of the Parliament on Wednesday that the Act has provisions for removal of objectionable online content.
The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) rules 2011 require that the Intermediaries shall observe due diligence while discharging their duties and shall inform the users of computer resources not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, update or share any information that is harmful, objectionable, affects minors and is unlawful in any way.
With regard to the use of social media by the Government, he said social media platforms are used to disseminate/ publicize information pertaining to Government policies and programs. The government has set up myGov as a social media platform for enabling greater people participation in matters relating to public policy.
Meanwhile, the ministry has categorically said it is not contemplating any regulatory framework for censorship of content appearing on the internet. As far as OTT was concerned, the ministry would take action in the event of any complaints from viewers and subscribers.
At present, the government does not certify any programs coming on television, but the sources reiterated that programming has to be in accordance with the guidelines of the Program and Advertising Code apart from the Uplink and Downlink Guidelines.