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Telangana Cyber Security Bureau Seeks Legal Action Against Social Media Platforms

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has initiated legal proceedings against major social media platforms, including X Meta (Facebook and Instagram), and YouTube, to remove objectionable content and disclose the identities of users responsible for posting it. Despite registering 17 cases this year, many derogatory posts targeting Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy remain online, and platforms are reluctant to share user details. In some instances, platforms have cited freedom of expression and non-criminal content as reasons for not sharing personal details, leading to a stalemate.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has filed 17 cases against social media platforms for hosting objectionable content targeting Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
  • Of the 17 FIRs registered, only 7 posts have been removed, while 10 remain active on platforms like X Meta, YouTube, and others.
  • TGCSB has written to the nodal officers of X, Meta, and Google, requesting the removal of objectionable content and disclosure of user identities.
  • Social media platforms have declined to share user information, citing reasons like freedom of expression and non-criminal content.
  • TGCSB has begun approaching local courts, filing petitions seeking judicial directives to push the platforms to comply with removal and disclosure requests.
  • The cases were filed suo motu, based on alerts from TGCSB's team of constables, and also by Congress party functionaries, govt scheme beneficiaries, and well-wishers of the CM.
  • Two separate cases have been registered by the cyber crime sleuths of Cyberabad and Hyderabad over objectionable comments on social media against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

Statistics:

  • 17 cases have been filed by TGCSB against social media platforms for hosting objectionable content targeting Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
  • Only 7 posts out of 17 have been removed, while 10 remain active on platforms like X Meta, YouTube, and others.
  • TGCSB has written to the nodal officers of X, Meta, and Google, making a total of 17 formal requests for removal of objectionable content and disclosure of user identities.

Sources:

  • "Hyderabad: Cyberabad police file case against 2 social media handles for defamation" by TN Bureau, The Times of India.
  • "Telangana Cyber Security Bureau moves court against social media platforms for refusal to share user details" by ET Bureau, Economic Times.
  • "Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy targeted on social media: Reports" by ANI, Asian News International.

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