The Government of India took a significant action in 2024 to block 28,000 URLs across various social media platforms, targeting content deemed harmful to national security and public order. These URLs were linked to separatist movements, hate speech, and materials that posed a potential threat to India’s sovereignty.
The move, carried out under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, empowers the government to restrict access to online content that it believes could jeopardize the nation's safety. Among the platforms most affected were Meta’s Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp, with each seeing substantial takedowns of URLs. Facebook and X were at the forefront of the action, with both platforms witnessing over 10,000 URLs blocked.
The content flagged by the government included that promoting the Khalistan referendum, a movement advocating for the creation of a separate Sikh state, and materials linked to the Popular Front of India (PFI), an organization accused of promoting extremism. Since 2021, approximately 10,500 URLs tied to the Khalistan movement have been blocked, alongside 2,100 URLs related to the PFI.
Between 2022 and 2024, the government has blocked a total of 28,079 URLs across various social media platforms. Facebook saw the highest number of blocks, totalling 10,976 URLs, followed by X with 10,139 blocks. YouTube had 2,211 URLs removed, while Instagram experienced a marked increase in the number of blocked URLs, reaching a total of 2,198. WhatsApp, although less affected, had 138 accounts blocked over the same period.
Investigations into these blocked links revealed that many Facebook URLs led users to third-party websites or app stores, often designed to scam individuals through fake investment schemes, trading platforms, or work-from-home opportunities. The Ministry of Home Affairs, acting on intelligence reports, recommended the blocking of these links as they were seen as undermining the country’s security.
This crackdown is part of India’s broader strategy to tackle online threats and ensure that digital spaces remain free from content that could destabilize the country’s peace and integrity. By enforcing stringent content regulations, the government aims to prevent the spread of misinformation and extremism while protecting citizens from online fraud and security risks.
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