India: Implemented blocking of social media accounts due to misinformation on Ukraine conflict

On 4 April 2022, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued several orders to social media and news companies to block access to twenty-two YouTube channels, three Twitter accounts, one Facebook account and a news webpage. The MIB noted that those twenty-two YouTube channels were spreading “anti-Indian” content and false information regarding the “situation in Ukraine”, which could endanger India’s foreign relations. The MIB decision follows the adoption of the Information Technology Rules on 2 February 2021, giving the ministry the power to restrict access to content during emergencies where “no delay is acceptable”.