The Supreme Court is seeking a status report from internet intermediaries and the government on the steps taken so far to curb the spread of child pornography, rape videos and images. In this regard, the Supreme Court of India on Monday gave six weeks to the government to compile and submit the report. A two-judge bench has given these directions. The bench fixed the next hearing of the matter on November 3. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appeared on behalf of the Centre.
In an attempt to take note of the steps taken so far to curb the spread of child pornography and rape videos and images, the Supreme Court on Monday sought a report from the Center on behalf of the government and internet intermediaries. In a PTI report.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati assured a two-judge bench – Justice BR Gavai and Justice CT Ravikumar – that the government’s status report is ready. Moreover, the bench asked the service providers to file status reports.
Bhati added that the Information Technology (Mediator Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Conduct) Rules, 2021 have been notified.
In 2018, the Supreme Court expressed concern over explicit online content and said the Center may frame guidelines or standard operating procedures (SoP) to remove such videos and photos. Earlier, both the Center and internet giants including Google, Microsoft and Facebook had agreed on the need to stamp out videos showing content related to rape, child pornography and objectionable content.
