Centre bans 20 YouTube channels, 2 websites under new IT rules for ‘anti-India content’

The central govt has banned 20 YouTube channels and 2 websites for allegedly spreading anti-India content funded by Pakistan, according to a report in the Economic Times. This marks the first instance where the govt has invoked the newly notified emergency provisions of the IT Act.

I&B secretary Apurva Chandra wrote to YouTube and the Department of Telecom, asking them to block the content as it ‘affects the sovereignty and integrity of India’, the report states.

Officials indicate that the propaganda channels were being run with the help of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI. ‘Naya Pakistan’, one of the identified groups, owned 15 of the banned channels, had over 2 million subscribers on YouTube and was broadcasting ‘false news’ on issues like Kashmir, the farmers’ protest against farm laws, and Ayodhya. Others involved were 'The Naked Truth', '48 News’, and 'Junaid Halim official'.

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“This is for the first time that the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021 have been cited to ban anti-India propaganda websites,” a senior official told ET.

The decision to block and ban these channels will reportedly be presented before the Inter Departmental Committee in 48 hours, after which it will be ratified under the IT Rules, 2021.