Indian censorship of social networks: Google, Facebook, and others on trial
Google, Facebook, and a number of other websites are being targeted by the Indian government over their responsibility for user-posted content on their sites. The social networks claim that it is unfeasible for them to monitor everything that gets posted by their users, and that if content is reported as inappropriate they are quick to respond. However, criminal cases have been brought — notably by journalist Vinay Rai — against the sites, saying that the companies are not meeting their responsibilities.
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Microsoft dropped from Indian censorship trial
An Indian court has terminated proceedings against Microsoft in a case involving complaints that Internet companies are not taking responsibility for user-posted content. The case centers around regulations put into effect in 2011 that make web hosts responsible for the content uploaded by their users, with journalist Vinay Rai complaining that Microsoft, Facebook, Google, and nine other services wilfully host material that "seeks to create enmity, hatred and communal violence."
The web firms...
Google and Facebook trial in Indian censorship case begins today
Google and Facebook are facing a trial in the Indian courts today after earlier hearings failed to resolve complaints that the companies are not taking responsibility for user-posted content, the Wall Street Journal reports. The case centers around regulations put into effect in 2011 that make web hosts responsible for the content uploaded by their users, with journalist Vinay Rai complaining that Facebook, Google, and 10 other services wilfully host material that "seeks to create enmity,...
Web & Social
Facebook and Google forced to remove content deemed offensive in India
Facebook and Google have both been forced to remove content following a court directive in India. The two companies have removed material from their Indian domains that was considered offensive to Hindus, Muslims and Christians, after a court in New Delhi ruled today that certain images were deemed objectionable. Google confirmed it had disabled some content from its Indian versions of search, YouTube and Blogger, but refused to detail the content involved. Facebook has not issued a comment...
Policy & Law
Google and Facebook challenge Indian courts over web censorship lawsuits
India's the most populous democracy in the world, but it's no stranger to censorship efforts — over the years, it's struggled with balancing free expression and quelling partisan violence. Now, India's courts are considering web censorship measures in response to lawsuits over obscene material (like controversial religious statements) on websites like Google and Facebook. But the web giants aren't sitting quietly: as The Times of India reports, Google India's advocate told the Delhi high...
