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Sunday, August 17, 2025
TopicIT ministry

Topic: IT ministry

Respect right to privacy, tracing WhatsApp messages for prevention of serious offences: Govt

In a statement, the IT Ministry termed WhatsApp's last moment challenge to the intermediary guidelines as an unfortunate attempt to prevent norms from coming into effect.

‘We had no choice but to sue Modi govt’: Why WhatsApp is fighting the new IT rule

In new IT rules, govt calls for social media firms with large user bases to enable, when required, identification of original sender of messages, a move that breaks privacy protections.

Relax, you can still post on Facebook, YouTube & tweet. Modi govt isn’t shutting them down

Social media was abuzz Tuesday with speculation of Facebook, Twitter and other platforms being shut down over missing the deadline for complying with govt's new IT rules.

Govt asks social media platforms to remove content mentioning ‘Indian variant’ of Covid-19

The IT ministry Friday wrote to all social media platforms that the WHO has not linked the term 'Indian variant' with the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus in any of its reports.

IT Ministry says WhatsApp privacy policy violates Indians’ rights, gives 7 days to respond

The IT Ministry directed Whatsapp to withdraw its new privacy policy because it discriminates against Indian users by putting unfair terms and conditions, government sources said.

Govt asked Twitter to block 2,731 URLs in 2020, twice the 2019 tally

MoS Information Technology Sanjay Dhotre tells Parliament that govt asked Twitter to block 1,041 URLs in 2019. Facebook was asked to block 1,717 URLs in 2020, compared to 2,049 in 2019.

Over 9,000 URLs blocked by govt in 2020, thrice more than in 2019, minister tells Parliament

Sanjay Dhotre, MoS, IT ministry says 9,849 URLs were blocked in 2020 by the government under Section 69A of the IT Act. The government blocked 2,799 URLs in 2018 and 3,635 in 2019.

Prosthetic hands, detecting low birth weight in babies: The many govt AI projects in the works

Union minister Harsh Vardhan listed out the different AI projects being carried out by the IT ministry, Dept of Science & Tech and Niti Aayog to improve govt services. 

Govt has never threatened Facebook or Twitter staff with jail terms, IT ministry insists

Responding to allegations, ministry says social media platforms are obliged to follow laws and Constitution of India, like any other business.

Modi govt announces tough, new rules to regulate social media, OTT platforms & digital news

Digital news, OTT platforms are required to follow broad content guidelines meant for TV & print media, while social media platforms should set up redressal systems for complaints.

On Camera

China wants to create new order in Myanmar. India must switch gears or be dealt out of the game

India’s policy on Myanmar has been to deal with its Generals and maintain a distance from the country’s insurgent groups and political struggles. This will have to change.

Navigating Trump’s tariffs is no child’s play. Indian toymakers are losing out on orders, enquiries

Indian toymakers are now exploring new markets, but they want govt to negotiate a trade deal with US soon, introduce incentives and subsidies to make the industry more competitive.

What is Project Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Modi from ramparts of Red Fort

The project is meant to be a ‘protective shield that will keep expanding’, the PM said. It is on the lines of the ‘Golden Dome’ announced by Trump, it is learnt.

War of IAF, PAF doctrines: As Pakistan obsesses over numbers, India embraces risk, wins

Now that both IAF and PAF have made formal claims of having shot down the other’s aircraft in the 87-hour war in May, we can ask a larger question: do such numbers really matter?