No plan to block any social media platform, says Centre

Photo used for representational purpose

The government has no plan to block any social media platform in the country, the Parliament was informed on Thursday.

Under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the government blocks malicious online content, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity, and defence of India, security of the state among other reasons, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

"At present, Government has no plan to block any social media platform in the country," he said.

"Indian democracy has its bedrock in its Constitution and constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights for every citizen. No social media platform or any other intermediary can destroy our democracy," he added.

Noting that the government receives various grievances from users about this type of hate content, he said that it responded to them in an appropriate way.

The government regularly interacts with social media intermediaries on various issues including issuing advisories to make these intermediaries safe and accountable to users, Chandrasekhar said.

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