New Delhi: Eight YouTube channels, including one Pakistani-based channel, with a total of over 85 lakh subscribers and a cumulative viewership of over 114 crore have been blocked in India over their alleged 'false claims' with the aim of spreading hatred among different religious communities.
Blocking the YouTube channels, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, claimed that the channels had been engaging in creating false news which is detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, and India's friendly relations with foreign States.
"The purpose of the content published by some of these YouTube channels was to spread hatred among religious communities in India. False claims were made in various videos on the blocked YouTube channels. Examples include fake news such as the Government of India has ordered demolition of religious structures; Government of India has banned celebration of religious festivals, declaration of religious war in India, etc. Such content was found to have the potential to create communal disharmony and disturb public order in the country," the Ministry said in its statement.
It added: "The content blocked by the Ministry was found to be detrimental to sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, India's friendly relations with foreign States, and public order in the country. Accordingly, the content was covered within the ambit of section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000."