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In February 2021,the Government introduced the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 which provides the ways in which online content can be regulated.

Censorship on the Internet

Last updated on Jun 8, 2022

Censorship on the internet can be done in two ways:

  1. The Government can block any content that it considers either a threat to national security. It can even block content which can disrupt public order or which would encourage people to commit a crime. When the Government blocks online content, they follow a procedure under the law.
  2. Internet service providers and social media platforms have a responsibility to remove any “illegal content”. Illegal content is anything that is grossly harmful, harassing or blasphemous. They have to remove it if they get an order from a Court.

Youtube, Hotstar, Netflix etc sometimes show uncensored films. The Censor Board said that they will demand that all applicants (filmmakers) cannot release censored portions of their films anywhere on the internet. The Cinematograph Act would not directly apply here.

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Related Resources

Censorship of Films/Movies

Censorship is when an authority (such as the government) cuts out or stops the release of information. The official stance of the Indian Government is that it does not censor films, it only certifies them.

Censorship of TV Content

The Government can censor channels or even entire cable operators, block any content which may cause hatred or public unrest, and block content if it violates the code all channels follow.