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Supreme Court Strikes Down Section 66A Of IT Act: by Prasad Krishna — published Mar 25, 2015 — filed under: Freedom of Speech and Expression, Internet Governance, Chilling Effect, Censorship
In a major boost to freedom of speech online in India, the Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, reading down a draconian law that was poorly conceived, tragically worded and caused ordinary citizens to be jailed for so much as a comment on Facebook that annoyed just about anyone.
Located in Internet Governance / News & Media
The block heads: by Prasad Krishna — published Apr 03, 2015 — last modified May 07, 2015 11:51 AM — filed under: Internet Governance, Chilling Effect, Censorship
An entire government department is on the job, but can it really take down ‘offending’ online content?
Located in Internet Governance / News & Media
The Internet Has a New Standard for Censorship: by Jyoti Panday — published Jan 30, 2016 — filed under: Freedom of Speech and Expression, Internet Governance, Chilling Effect, Censorship
The introduction of the new 451 HTTP Error Status Code for blocked websites is a big step forward in cataloguing online censorship, especially in a country like India where access to information is routinely restricted.
Located in Internet Governance / Blog
The noose tightens on freedom of speech on the Internet: by Prasad Krishna — published Mar 27, 2015 — filed under: IT Act, Censorship, Freedom of Speech and Expression, Internet Governance, Chilling Effect
A WORRYING trend has emerged in the last few years, where intermediaries around the world are being used as chokepoints to restrict freedom of expression online, and to hold users accountable for content.
Located in Internet Governance / News & Media
The Supreme Court Judgment in Shreya Singhal and What It Does for Intermediary Liability in India?: by Jyoti Panday — published Apr 11, 2015 — last modified Apr 17, 2015 11:59 PM — filed under: IT Act, Censorship, Freedom of Speech and Expression, Internet Governance, Intermediary Liability, Chilling Effect
Even as free speech advocates and users celebrate the Supreme Court of India's landmark judgment striking down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act of 2000, news that the Central government has begun work on drafting a new provision to replace the said section of the Act has been trickling in.
Located in Internet Governance / Blog
Three reasons why 66A verdict is momentous: by Pranesh Prakash — published Mar 29, 2015 — filed under: IT Act, Censorship, Freedom of Speech and Expression, Internet Governance, Chilling Effect
Earlier this week, the fundamental right to freedom of expression posted a momentous victory. The nation's top court struck down the much-reviled Section 66A of the IT Act — which criminalized communications that are "grossly offensive", cause "annoyance", etc — as "unconstitutionally vague", "arbitrarily, excessively, and disproportionately" encumbering freedom of speech, and likely to have a "chilling effect" on legitimate speech.
Located in Internet Governance / Blog
We the goondas: by Prasad Krishna — published Aug 04, 2014 — last modified Aug 04, 2014 03:06 PM — filed under: IT Act, Censorship, Social Media, Internet Governance, Chilling Effect
You can now be arrested in Karnataka even before you commit an offence under the IT Act. You could be in jail under the Goonda Act even if not guilty under the Indian Copyright Act. If govt thinks you are planning to send a 'lascivious' photo to a WhatsApp group, or forwarding a copyrighted song, you can be arrested.
Located in News & Media
What 66A Judgment Means For Free Speech Online: by Geetha Hariharan — published Mar 27, 2015 — filed under: IT Act, Censorship, Freedom of Speech and Expression, Internet Governance, Chilling Effect
This week India's Supreme Court redefined the boundaries of freedom of speech on the internet. With the Court's decision in Shreya Singhal & Ors. v. Union of India, Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, has been struck down in entirety and is no longer good law.
Located in Internet Governance / Blog
What the experts said on live chat: by Prasad Krishna — published Mar 26, 2015 — filed under: IT Act, Censorship, Freedom of Speech and Expression, Internet Governance, Chilling Effect
Three eminent panellists shared their views and answered questions from readers on the Supreme Court verdict striking down Section 66 A of the IT Act that allowed the arrest of people posting “offensive content” on the Internet, in a live chat hosted by The Hindu.
Located in Internet Governance / News & Media
Why should we care about takedown timeframes?: by Torsha Sarkar — published Apr 10, 2020 — last modified Apr 10, 2020 04:58 AM — filed under: Content takedown, Intermediary Liability, Chilling Effect
The issue of content takedown timeframe - the time period an intermediary is allotted to respond to a legal takedown order - has received considerably less attention in conversations about intermediary liability. This article examines the importance of framing an appropriate timeframe towards ensuring that speech online is not over-censored, and frames recommendations towards the same.
Located in Internet Governance / Blog

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