Catergory

WhatTheBlock

Statement: Reportedly, IT Ministry looks to block Proton Mail on request of Tamil Nadu

Reportedly, the E2EE email service Proton Mail has received communication from MeitY regarding a potential block under S.69-A IT Act, at the request of the TN police over a hoax bomb threat sent to private schools in Chennai.

15 February, 2024

1 min read

Internet Freedom Foundation

Censorship

Statement: In response to a takedown order by MIB, The Caravan has taken down its article pertaining to killings by the Army stationed in Jammu & Kashmir

In response to a takedown order by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under Section 69A of the IT Act and the IT Rules, 2021, The Caravan has taken down its article pertaining to killings by the Army stationed in Jammu & Kashmir.

14 February, 2024

2 min read

Internet Freedom Foundation

WhatTheBlock

Delhi HC directs Union of India to File Inter-Ministerial Committee's Report Rejecting Proposal to Unblock "Dowry Calculator" in a Sealed Cover

On October 4, 2023, the Union of India informed the Delhi HC that the IMC had rejected the proposal to provide a suitable disclaimer and to unblock journalist Tanul Thakur's website, the Dowry Calculator.

05 October, 2023

4 min read

Radhika Roy &

Gayatri Malhotra

WebsiteBlocking

Delhi HC directs the Union of India to consider unblocking of Tanul Thakur’s satirical website if a disclaimer is put in place

Tanul Thakur's satirical website, was banned by MeitY without providing him a hearing or a copy of the ban order. the Delhi HC directed the Union of India to consider unblocking the website if a suitable disclaimer is put in place within 6 weeks.

21 July, 2023

3 min read

Gayatri Malhotra

WhatTheBlock

Mayday Alert: 14 mobile apps banned, no blocking order released. #WhatTheBlock

In May 2023, 14 mobile apps that provided end-to-end encrypted and peer-to-peer messaging services were reportedly banned. Reasoned blocking orders and a pre-decisional hearing were reportedly not provided to these apps. IFF filed a series of RTI applications to seek more information.

10 May, 2023

7 min read

MeitY’s merry go round: Statement on blocking and unblocking(?) of apps by MeitY

MeitY has reportedly issued orders to block over 230 applications/ platforms, after receiving instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs. MeitY hasn't yet furnished an official reasoning and justification for it. Read our full statement here.

10 February, 2023

6 min read

Tejasi Panjiar &

Prateek Waghre

Delhi High Court issues notice in the blocking case of satirical website

Mr. Thakur's satirical website, dowry calculator, was banned by MeitY in 2018 without providing an order copy. However, on January 23, 2023 the Delhi High Court was pleased to issue notice.

Delhi HC orders MeitY to give copy of ban order and hearing to Mr Tanul Thakur for banning his website #WhatTheBlock

Tanul Thakur's satirical website dowrycalculator.com was blocked without giving him a copy of the blocking order or an opportunity to be heard. On 11th May 2022, the Delhi High Court Court directed MeitY to provide Tanul Thakur a copy of the blocking order and give him a post-decisional hearing.

16 May, 2022

4 min read

Amala Dasarathi

Delhi HC

Delhi High Court calls for case files and asks MeitY to consider hearing creator of satirical Dowry Calculator on website blocking #WhatTheBlock

Mr Tanul Thakur is the creator of the satirical website dowrycalculator.com. In 2018, the Union Government blocked the website without granting him a hearing or providing a copy of the order. Mr Thakur has challenged the blocking order.

29 March, 2022

5 min read

Amala Dasarathi &