Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: X Corp has informed the Delhi high court that it has asked the central government to reconsider its March 18 directive to block 12 accounts, stating that the order is “disproportionate”.The Centre cited the use of deep fakes and the spread of “false narratives” as the reason for its crackdown on social media content. One of the affected accounts is Dr Nimo Yadav, operated by Prateek Sharma, who moved the HC seeking access to the blocking order.In response, X submitted before Justice Purushaindra K Kaurav it is taking steps in connection with the order, and has written to ministry of electronics & information technology, arguing that a majority of the content does not violate Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000.Among other affected accounts are Bhavika Kapoor, Ashok Swain, @Nher_who, @ActivistSandeep, @mrje-thwani_, @indian_armada, @Doc_RGM and @DuckKiBaat.In an affidavit before the high court, X has given the case of Nimo Yadav, disclosing that the central govt has acted against the parody account for “spreading false narratives involving the PM” and “portraying him in bad taste”.The social media giant has also flagged what it sees as a violation of the principles of natural justice, pointing out that “no opportunity of hearing has been granted to any of the account holders whose accounts have been ordered to be blocked”.The HC will resume the matter next week.
