In a sweeping move against foreign misinformation campaigns, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced on Monday that it has banned over 50 YouTube channels linked to Pakistani sources. The action was taken under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, citing concerns over national security, public order, and electoral interference.
Officials revealed that these channels were spreading false narratives about India’s military operations, inciting communal disharmony, and attempting to undermine public trust in government institutions ahead of the upcoming general elections.
The banned channels collectively had millions of subscribers and significant viewership among Indian audiences. Cybersecurity experts hailed the move as necessary to preserve information integrity during a sensitive political period, but digital rights activists warned of potential overreach and censorship concerns.
This crackdown follows several earlier rounds of digital platform bans targeting content from China and Pakistan. The Ministry has directed social media companies like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter to strengthen their content moderation mechanisms and comply swiftly with takedown orders.
India’s action aligns with a global trend where nations are asserting greater sovereignty over their information spaces in an increasingly fragmented and polarized digital world.
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