Social media sites told to remove objectionable content by Feb 6

Setting a deadline for 22 social networking sites including Facebook, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft to remove all “anti-religious” or “anti-social” content, a Delhi court today directed the companies to file compliance reports by February 6.

Additional Civil Judge Mr Mukesh Kumar, who had on December 20 in an ex-parte order issued summons to the social networking Web sites, granted around one-and-half months for compliance of his order.

Out of 22, the representatives of two Web sites, Yahoo India Pvt Ltd and Microsoft, appeared in court and submitted that they have not got the copies of the court order and complaint against them and pleaded the judge to provide the same.

Mr Santosh Pandey, counsel appearing for complainant Mr Mufti Aijaz Arshad Qasmi, assured the court that he would provide the companies with the copy of the complaint and other related documents.

Mr Pandey, after the court proceedings, told the reporters that the Web sites have to submit a compliance report to the court by February 6 detailing what action they have taken to remove the objectionable and derogatory contents from the Web sites.

The court had on December 20 asked the social networking Web sites to remove objectionable content in the form of photographs, videos or text which might hurt religious sentiments.

The court’s order came amid a raging controversy over monitoring the content on Internet and of those Web sites depending on user generated contents, which arose after the Communications and IT Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, had asked the social networking Web sites to “screen” the content.

On the last day of hearing on December 20, the court after going through several printouts of objectionable contents, CD and other documents, found them defamatory and derogatory and ordered to take them off from the sites.

“I have gone through the record carefully wherein the plaintiff has also filed a CD containing all the defamatory articles and photographs. In my considered opinion, the photographs shown by the plaintiff having content of defamation and derogation against the sentiments of every community.

“In such circumstances, I am of the view that plaintiff has a prima facie case in his favour. Moreover, the balance of convenience is also against the defendants (Web sites) and in favour of the plaintiff,” the judge had said.

“Moreover, if the defendant will not be directed to remove the defamatory articles and contents from the social networking websites, not only the plaintiff but every individual who is having religious sentiments would suffer irreparable loss and injury and cannot be compensated in terms of money,” the judge had said.

Web sites that have been asked to remove objectionable content include Facebook India, Facebook, Google India Pvt Ltd, Google Orkut, Youtube, Blogspot, Microsoft India Pvt Ltd, Microsoft, Zombie Time, Exboii, Boardreader, IMC India, My Lot, Shyni Blog and Topix.

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