In 2022, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) blocked over 1,500 websites, URLs, posts, and social media platforms across India. In comparison, the instances of websites and applications being banned by other authorities such as courts and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) were fewer. The most number of website blocking orders in India were issued under Section 69A of the IT Act.
Content regulation
The growing number of online violations in the form of fraudulent ads, illegal websites, inappropriate and obscene content, and the propagation of misinformation has created the need for content moderation in India. The Information Technology (IT) Act of 2000, safeguards India’s cybersecurity and sets down laws to deal with cybercrime and data protection concerns.
Internet freedom in India
However, in recent years, India’s position on the World Freedom Index has steadily declined. The South Asian democracy holds only a ‘partly free’ status in this regard, partially attributed to institutions like the government curbing freedom of expression by arbitrarily having content removed from online platforms, enforcing internet shutdowns, banning the use of China-based apps, and surveilling users’ accounts.
Number of websites, URLs, posts, and social media platforms blocked in India from 2015 to 2022, by issuing authority
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Statista. (June 19, 2023). Number of websites, URLs, posts, and social media platforms blocked in India from 2015 to 2022, by issuing authority [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393763/india-websites-and-apps-blocked-by-issuing-authority/
Statista. "Number of websites, URLs, posts, and social media platforms blocked in India from 2015 to 2022, by issuing authority." Chart. June 19, 2023. Statista. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393763/india-websites-and-apps-blocked-by-issuing-authority/
Statista. (2023). Number of websites, URLs, posts, and social media platforms blocked in India from 2015 to 2022, by issuing authority. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393763/india-websites-and-apps-blocked-by-issuing-authority/
Statista. "Number of Websites, Urls, Posts, and Social Media Platforms Blocked in India from 2015 to 2022, by Issuing Authority." Statista, Statista Inc., 19 Jun 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393763/india-websites-and-apps-blocked-by-issuing-authority/
Statista, Number of websites, URLs, posts, and social media platforms blocked in India from 2015 to 2022, by issuing authority Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393763/india-websites-and-apps-blocked-by-issuing-authority/ (last visited November 21, 2024)
Number of websites, URLs, posts, and social media platforms blocked in India from 2015 to 2022, by issuing authority [Graph], Statista, June 19, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1393763/india-websites-and-apps-blocked-by-issuing-authority/
