(1) Where the Central Government or any of its officer specially authorised by it in this behalf is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above, it may subject to the provisions of sub-sections (2) for reasons to be recorded in writing, by order direct any agency of the Government or intermediary to block access by the public or cause to be blocked for access by public any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource.
(2) The procedure and safeguards subject to which such blocking for access by the public may be carried out shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The intermediary who fails to comply with the direction issued under sub-section (1) shall be punished with an imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and also be liable to fine.
Relevant IT Rules: Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009
News # 1: Several measures taken by the Government to prevent online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (20 July 2017)
The Government has initiated a number of major actions to prevent online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, including:
i) Information Technology Act (IT Act) 2000 with its last amendment in 2008, provides a comprehensive framework for Cyber Crimes and Punishment including for online obscenity, sexual contents and child pornography.
ii) Government periodically blocks the websites based on the Worst of” list provided by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which acts as a National Nodal Agency of INTERPOL in India.
iii) MeitY has issued an order in April 2017 for blocking of Child Pornography URLs/ Websites based on the list maintained by Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), UK.
News # 2: ISPs block torrents via a John Doe order; lapses in order compliance (22 June 2016)
News # 3: Four John Doe orders for blocking websites in the last month alone (13 June 2016)
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