Tech

Monday 6 February 2012

Facebook, Google file compliance report over objectionable matter


Anew week begins, and right at the start of it, representatives from 21 companies, accused of permitting objectionable content to be posted on their websites, brace themselves to attend, yet another hearing scheduled for today. At a Delhi court, representatives from over 20 websites operating in the country, will present their stand against a complaint filed by journalist, Vinay Rai, who found some content on websites like, Facebook, Google, YouTube, among others to be objectionable. Today's hearing, especially, is crucial, since at a previous hearing, the court had directed representatives of the accused websites to strip off any objectionable content from the websites, which may include text, images, videos, among others and had set a deadline for February 6, to review it. At the hearing today, the court will expect a compliance report from each one of them. The compliance report, essentially will give the court an insight on whether the websites have removed objectionable content on them.

According to reports, the court had issued an order to the following websites, to strip off any content that can be deemed as objectionable: Facebook India, Facebook, Google India Pvt Ltd, Google Orkut, Youtube, Blogspot, Microsoft India Pvt Ltd, Microsoft, Zombie Time, Exboii, Boardreader, IMC India, My Lot, Shyni Blog and Topix.
& the trial continues ... (Image credit: Getty Images)
& the trial continues ... (Image credit: Getty Images)


Facebook India, reportedly has filed its compliance report; acting on the order issued by the Delhi court. Facebook, like Google confirms that they have removed the content from their websites that may be counted in as objectionable. Google India stated that they have pulled down some pages with content, which may seem objectionable to the court. In compliance to the lawsuit, Google, according to a Wall Street Journal report trimmed content from their search service, YouTube and Blogger, to obey, what they refer to as their longstanding policy of responding to court orders. Reportedly, Facebook, Google and Microsoft have told the court that there is no reason for it to take action against them.

Facebook, Google, YouTube, in addition to 18 other companies are currently battling out in India, over a set of allegations that accuse them of posting objectionable content on their sites. It all began when Vinay Rai, a journalist filed a complaint against the websites, stating that the content on the websites could prove disastrous, since it contained objectionable content posing a threat to peace between communities, national integration, among others The websites were charged with section 292 (sale of obscene books etc), 293 (sale of obscene objects to young person etc) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. 

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