Govt issues 1,298 blocking orders against online betting, gaming sites
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New Delhi: To combat online gaming risks and addiction, the government has issued 1,298 blocking directions, resulting in the blockage of online betting, gambling, and gaming websites, including mobile apps, between 2022-2024.
According to Minister of Railways and Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw, the policies of the government are aimed at ensuring an open, safe, trusted and accountable Internet for its users.
To help achieve this aim, the government, after extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to address various socio-economic concerns emanating from online games.
The IT Rules, 2021, impose specific obligations on online gaming intermediaries, including social media platforms and other intermediaries, to ensure a safe and responsible online gaming environment. These intermediaries are required to refrain from hosting, storing, or publishing any information that violates existing laws.
According to the minister, online gaming intermediaries are obligated to ensure their accountability, which includes taking swift action to remove unlawful information categorised under the IT Rules, 2021. This includes removing information that is harmful to children, relates to or encourages money laundering or gambling, or violates any law for the time being in force.
Further, the IT Act has provisions to issue blocking orders to intermediaries for blocking access to specific information/link in the interest of sovereignty and integrity, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for inciting cognisable offence relating to the above following the due process as envisaged in the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information for Public) Rules, 2009.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, also compiles and publishes statistical data on crimes in its publication “Crime in India”.
(inputs from IANS)