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WhatTheBlock

WhatTheBlock

Supreme Court issues notice in Sushant Singh's transfer petition challenging website blocking

Sushant Singh has sought transfer of his writ petition from the Bombay High Court to the Supreme Court, challenging Rules 8 and 16 of the IT Blocking Rules, 2009. On 02.05.2025, the Supreme Court issued notice and tagged it with SFLC’s pending petition raising similar issues.
02 May, 2025
6 min read
Shravani Nag LankaShravani Nag Lanka & Injila Muslim ZaidiInjila Muslim Zaidi
WhatTheBlock

Twitter/X Corp 's legal challenge before the Karnataka High Court spotlights illegal take down orders being used as parallel process and a censorship portal

X Corp. (formerly Twitter) is challenging the government’s misuse of Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act to issue takedown orders, bypassing Section 69A safeguards. It also exposed ‘Sahyog,’ an illegal censorship portal.
21 March, 2025
8 min read
Apar GuptaApar Gupta, Gayatri MalhotraGayatri Malhotra & Rubayya TasneemRubayya Tasneem
WebsiteBlocking

Vikatan unblocked : Madras HC gives interim relief

Vikatan’s website was blocked without prior notice, raising serious concerns about digital censorship and due process. With IFF’s legal support, this case highlights the urgent need for transparency in online content regulation.
06 March, 2025
4 min read
Apar GuptaApar Gupta & Gayatri MalhotraGayatri Malhotra
WhatTheBlock

Delhi HC issues notice on Hindutva Watch’s petition challenging the blocking of their entire X/Twitter account

The founder of Hindutva Watch, a research initiative that monitors hate speeches, hate crimes and human rights atrocities committed against marginalised communities in India, has challenged the illegal, arbitrary, and disproportionate blocking of their entire Twitter account before Delhi HC.
02 May, 2024
6 min read
Internet Freedom FoundationInternet Freedom Foundation
WhatTheBlock

Delhi HC issues notice on Hindutva Watch and India Hate Lab’s petition challenging the blocking of their entire websites.

The founder of research groups Hindutva Watch, and India Hate Lab which track and monitor hate speeches, hate crimes and violence committed against marginalised communities, has challenged the illegal, arbitrary and disproportionate blocking of their entire websites, by MeitY before the Delhi HC.
02 May, 2024
6 min read
Internet Freedom FoundationInternet Freedom Foundation
E2EE

Statement: Reportedly, IT Ministry looks to block Proton Mail on request of Tamil Nadu

Reportedly, the E2EE email service Proton Mail has received communication from MeitY regarding a potential block under S.69-A IT Act, at the request of the TN police over a hoax bomb threat sent to private schools in Chennai. 
15 February, 2024
1 min read
Internet Freedom FoundationInternet Freedom Foundation
Censorship

Statement: In response to a takedown order by MIB, The Caravan has taken down its article pertaining to killings by the Army stationed in Jammu & Kashmir

In response to a takedown order by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under Section 69A of the IT Act and the IT Rules, 2021, The Caravan has taken down its article pertaining to killings by the Army stationed in Jammu & Kashmir. 
14 February, 2024
2 min read
Internet Freedom FoundationInternet Freedom Foundation
WhatTheBlock

Delhi HC directs Union of India to File Inter-Ministerial Committee's Report Rejecting Proposal to Unblock "Dowry Calculator" in a Sealed Cover

On October 4, 2023, the Union of India informed the Delhi HC that the IMC had rejected the proposal to provide a suitable disclaimer and to unblock journalist Tanul Thakur's website, the Dowry Calculator.
05 October, 2023
4 min read
Radhika RoyRadhika Roy & Gayatri MalhotraGayatri Malhotra
WebsiteBlocking

Delhi HC directs the Union of India to consider unblocking of Tanul Thakur’s satirical website if a disclaimer is put in place

Tanul Thakur's satirical website, was banned by MeitY without providing him a hearing or a copy of the ban order. the Delhi HC directed the Union of India to consider unblocking the website if a suitable disclaimer is put in place within 6 weeks.
21 July, 2023
3 min read
Gayatri MalhotraGayatri Malhotra
WhatTheBlock

Mayday Alert: 14 mobile apps banned, no blocking order released. #WhatTheBlock

In May 2023, 14 mobile apps that provided end-to-end encrypted and peer-to-peer messaging services were reportedly banned. Reasoned blocking orders and a pre-decisional hearing were reportedly not provided to these apps. IFF filed a series of RTI applications to seek more information.
10 May, 2023
7 min read
Tejasi PanjiarTejasi Panjiar, Gayatri MalhotraGayatri Malhotra, Prateek WaghrePrateek Waghre & Radhika RoyRadhika Roy

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