Context: The government blocked over 9,800 URLs, accounts and web pages in 2020, an increase of about 170% from 2019, under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Details:

• Wherever the situation warrants, under the provision of section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the government blocks unlawful and malicious online content.
• 9,849 URLs/accounts/web pages were blocked in 2020, up from 3,603 URLs/accounts/web pages in 2019.

Section 69A of the IT (Amendment) Act, 2008: It allows the Central Government to block content where it believes that this content threatens the security of the State; the sovereignty, integrity or defence of India; friendly relations with foreign States; public order; or to prevent incitement for the commission of a cognisable offence relating to any of the above.

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/govt-blocked-over-9800-urls-prasad/article34040796.ece

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