Based on inputs from intelligence agencies, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed YouTube to block 45 videos from 10 YouTube channels for spreading false information related to the country’s national security, foreign relations, and public order.

Some of the videos blocked by the Ministry were being used to spread disinformation on issues related to Agnipath scheme, Indian Armed Forces, India’s national security apparatus and Kashmir among others. The content was observed to be false and sensitive from the perspective of national security and India’s friendly relations with foreign States.

“These channels had content that spread fear and misconception among communities,” I&B Minister Anurag Thakur said.

According to the statement issued by the Ministry, the blocked videos had cumulative viewership of over 1.30 crore.

“The content included fake news and morphed videos circulated with the intent to spread hatred among religious communities.

Examples include false claims such as the Government having taken away the religious rights of certain communities, violent threats against religious communities, declaration of civil war in India, etc. Such videos were found to have the potential to cause communal disharmony and disrupt public order in the country”, it said.

Certain videos depicted erroneous external boundary of India with parts of J&K and Ladakh outside the Indian territory. Such cartographic misrepresentation was found to be detrimental to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. The content blocked by the Ministry was found to be detrimental to sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, India’s friendly relations with foreign States, and public order in the country,” said the statement issued by the Ministry.

“Orders to block the concerned videos were issued on September 23, 2022 under the provisions of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021,” the Ministry said in its statement.

The content was covered within the ambit of section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Ministry said, adding the Government remains committed to thwarting any attempts at undermining India’s sovereignty and integrity, national security, foreign relations, and public order.