The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has blocked seven Indian and one Pakistan-based YouTube channels for allegedly spreading misinformation related to India’s national security, foreign family members and public order.
Blocked channels had more than 114 crore views and 85.73 lakh subscribers. “Fake anti-India content used to be monetized through blocked channels on YouTube,” an official said, adding that a Facebook account and two posts on the social media platform were also blocked.
“The reason for the content posted by some of these YouTube channels was to incite hatred among non-communal communities in India. Several videos have made false claims…,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said fake news – such as central authorities ordering the demolition of non-communal structures and banning parties of non-communal festivals – is being spread. A channel talked about “Declaration of Non-Communal Struggle in India etc”. “Such content once discovered is likely to create communal chaos and disrupt public order in the country,” it said.
The YouTube channels used to submit “fake news” about the Indian Armed Forces and issues like Jammu and Kashmir, which were “absolutely false and touchy from the point of view of national security and members of India’s friendly relations with foreign states”.
