Rajeev Chandrasekhar says over 6,000 URLs, accounts or websites blocked last year

More than 6,000 URLs, accounts or websites were blocked in 2021. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that blocking directions are issued following the due process as prescribed in the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009.

The minister said 471, 500, 633 and 1,385 accounts/websites/URLs were blocked during 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. He added that the number of accounts, websites and URLs stood at blocked during 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 stood at 2,799, 3,603, 9,849 and 6,096, respectively.

Chandrasekhar said, “Under section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is empowered to issue directions for blocking in specific scenario of any information impacting or likely to impact sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to these.”

He further added that as per the information provided by National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, the total number of cases registered under the Gambling Act (Online Gambling) (involving communication devices as medium/ target) for cybercrimes are 20, 22 and 63 for the year 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

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