16 more YouTube channels blocked for spreading disinformation related to India's national security

New Delhi, April 25

The Centre today blocked 16 YouTube channels, including six operating from Pakistan, and a Facebook account for spreading disinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations and public order, according to an official statement.

The blocked YouTube channels and the Facebook account had a cumulative viewership of over 68 crore and were spreading “false, unverified information to create panic, incite communal disharmony and disturb public order in India,” the statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said.

“None of the digital news publishers had furnished information to the ministry as required under Rule 18 of the IT Rules, 2021,” it added.

The ministry said the content published by some of the blocked India-based YouTube channels referred to the members of a particular community as terrorists and incited hatred among various religious communities.

“Such content was found having the potential to create disharmony and disturb public order,” it said. — PTI

6 operating from Pak

The blocked channels, six operating from Pakistan, have a cumulative viewership of over 68 crore