From a 'nuclear explosion' within the country to North Korea which have been sending troops to Ayodhya, the 102 YouTube channels have been banned by the government which were known to routinely spread misinformation about India to its lakhs of subscribers and they have been 'monitering fake news.'

HIGHLIGHTS
The government banned 102 YouTube channels that imposed misinformation 
Intelligence agencies were monitering social media accounts and websites
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting orders blocking of YouTube channels

The government seemed to start the crackdown against such YouTube channels for the very first time during the month of December last year by utilizing its emergency powers under the Information Technology Rules, 2021.

With the help of the rules the government has blocked access to the 102 YouTube channels, various websites and social media accounts that used templates and logos of popular television channels to mislead their viewers by making them believe that the news which were presented by them was authentic.

According per the Ministry official, the intelligence agencies have been monitering social media accounts, websites and flagging them to the Ministry for action.

The official has mentioned that 'several of those channels have been earning revenue through advertisements and monetising fake news.' 

The latest round of action came last Thursday, the time when the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had ordered eight YouTube channels from which one was based in Pakistan, for presenting news like 'ban on Bakra-eid celebrations in India', which highlighted 'attacks' on spiritual places revered by Muslims and joint 'invasion' of Turkey by India and Egypt.

A YouTube channel, A M Razvi, had a conversation about 'military action on Ajmer Dargah' and 'Muslims flying an Islamic flag on a temple', whereas on the other hand Pakistan-based 'News ki Duniya' channels had claimed that the 'Qutub Minar mosque' had been destroyed.

One of the other YouTube channel 'Naya Pakistan Global' had claimed that North Korean leader Kim Jung had sent his army to Ayodhya. Well, the Ministry had mentioned that 'the content which was blocked by the Ministry was ultimately found to be damaging to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, India’s friendly relations with foreign states along with the public order within the country.' 

He had mentioned that the content was lined within the ambit of section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The section 69-A would empowers the government to limit the access to any content within the interest of sovereignty and integrity of the country.

This year in January, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has ordered blocking of YouTube channels that would propagate content to encourage separatism which would divide India on the lines of religion and make animosity among the numerous sections of the Indian society. 

As per the Ministry, 'all these networks were appeared to be operated with one goal of spreading fake which oriented towards the Indian audience.'

Also Read: India has banned 54 Chinese apps due to military intervention.