India blocks 22 YouTube channels for spreading disinformation

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on Tuesday blocked 22 YouTube channels, including 4 Pakistan-based YouTube news channels, for spreading disinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations, and public order.

News agency ANI reported that the ministry also blocked three Twitter accounts, one Facebook account & one news website.



Back in January, the Ministry had ordered blocking of 35 YouTube-based news channels and two websites that were involved in spreading propaganda against India in a coordinated manner over digital media, I&B secretary Apurva Chandra said.

Chandra said the blocking orders were issued under emergency provisions of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Indian intelligence agencies were closely monitoring these social media accounts and websites, and flagged them to the ministry for immediate action.