The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting of Inda on Thursday blocked 8 YouTube channels, which include 7 Indian and 1 Pakistan-based YouTube news channel, for allegedly spreading fake news related to India’s national security, external affairs and public order.
As per reports, the barred YouTube channels had over 114 crore views, and 85.73 lakh subscribers, and the content was being monetised.
“Such content was found to have the potential to create communal disharmony and disturb public order in the country. The YouTube channels were also used to post fake news on various subjects such as the Indian Armed Forces and Jammu and Kashmir,” said the IT ministry.
“The content was observed to be completely false and sensitive from the perspective of national security and India’s friendly relations with foreign States,” the statement added.
The channels were blocked under the Information Technology Rules-2021. Accordingly, the content was covered within the ambit of section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. So far, the Centre has banned 102 YouTube news channels and several other social media handles since December 2021.