Govt bans 240 websites offering escort services

“The order to block 240 escorts websites was issued to Internet service providers on Monday on the recommendations made by an expert committee under the MHA,” an IT Ministry official said.

He added that as per the process, complaints or representations are made by the aggrieved persons or party before the expert committee, which then takes a call on it. However, industry sources have criticised the move, calling it directionless.

“Content of all websites cannot be blocked. The order has been issued without going into technical nitty-gritty around it. If a website changes the name or link slightly, it will again start working,” said an executive of an Internet service provider. He said there are mobile numbers on the websites which should be tracked and culprits nabbed to control such activities.