Govt decides to directly approach Google, Apple to spike such apps.
It
is open season on all short video services as well as social media
apps, which, according to the government and the judiciary, are
supplying inappropriate content.
While
those who support freedom of internet on Wednesday criticised banning
of TikTok
from Google and Apple stores as an infringement of right to choose,
sources in the government said the steps were taken only after
repeated warnings on weeding out foul content fell on deaf ears.
The
road ahead is going to be a tough one for TikTok and other similar
apps as now the government is directly working with both Apple
and Google to ensure they do not get any further downloads.
“The
government at the moment may not be able to stop the already existing
users from posting on the app but it has ensured that they do not get
any further downloads. The decision to ban TikTok was taken only
after repeated requests to take down objectionable content did not
get the desired results. Videos of young children and other similar
content was still available on their portal,” said a senior
official in the IT ministry.
According
to IT ministry officials, misuse of these portals has been immense,
given their popularity in the smaller cities and towns. Many have
become acquainted with technology in those areas in the recent past.
Hence their susceptibility to organised online porn networks or fake
news is thought to be more “Children as young as 10 are posting
videos and there is no one to moderate them,” said an IT ministry
official.
According
to industry experts, essentially, there is an obligation on all
service providers to ensure there is no illegal content on their
servers or app according to the IT Act and TikTok was banned on basis
of obscene content, which was prohibited under section 67 of the IT
Act.
“While
the order does set a precedent, it does not directly affect other
similar apps as the relief sought was specific to TikTok. Right to
free speech is not absolute and is subject to public order, morality.
Though the order does set a precedent, all future cases shall be
decided on a case-to-case basis and individual facts,” said Salman
Waris, managing partner at TechLegis Advocates & Solicitors.
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