Timeline of Website Block
One might have come across certain websites which show a “404 error” upon visiting, and in some other cases, a statement saying a website was blocked following an order by the Indian Government or MeitY.
Blocking websites is one of the many ways in which the State tries to censor content as well as fundamental right to free speech and expression. Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, empowers the government to issue these blocking orders, but in most cases, website owners do not receive any notification prior to the block, denying them their right to be heard. Their dissatisfaction is voiced only post-facto, by virtue of the state not notifying website owners before blocking their site, and it might take a very long time before the site is accessible again.
This list provides details of website blocks — along with the reasons provided by the government for blocking them, and under the circumstances under which the sites were blocked. RTIs filed by SFLC.in asking for details about the blocking orders, and complaints brought to our attention by people aggrieved by the blocked sites are the primary source of information for this list. Apart from that, we have also sourced this information from responses to questions raised in Parliament.
We have filed several RTIs requesting the Government to give us data on these blocks. One thing to note is that the government is not very forthcoming about these blocks, and has rejected most of our RTIs and appeals under S. 8 of the RTI Act.
We understand that the list may not be all-encompassing, and if there are instances of website blocks which you think we might have missed, do let us know by clicking the report button.
20-Oct-2021
Date of the block : 20-Oct-21
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : Court Block
ISP's blocked : Yes
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Requested on 8 Nov
Date of the block : Requested on 8 November
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : Tripura Police Crime Branch
ISP's blocked : NA
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24-Sep-2020
Date of the block : 24-Sep-20
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : Court Block under TM Act
ISP's blocked : Not Provided
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4-Feb-2021
Date of the block : Feb 4, 2021
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : Banned through ordinance and later by a bill passed by Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
ISP's blocked : Not Provided
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Over June 2021
Date of the block : Over June 2021
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : Not known
ISP's blocked : Not Provided
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9-Jan-2021
Date of the block : January 9, 2021
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : No official order from the court or Government of India. Only an email was sent to GoDaddy to shut down the website.
ISP's blocked : Not Provided
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24-Nov-2020
Date of the block : November 24th 2020
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : 69 A block
ISP's blocked : List available at https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1675335
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28-Oct-2020
Date of the block : October 28, 2020
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : Not clear
ISP's blocked : Not Provided
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12-Sept-2020
Date of the block : Sept 12, 2020
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : 69 A block
ISP's blocked : Not Provided
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6-July-2020
Date of the block : July 6, 2020
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : Not clear
ISP's blocked : Reliance Jio and Vodafone
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5-July-2020
Date of the block : July 5, 2020
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : 69 A block
ISP's blocked : Not Provided
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1-July-2020
Date of the block : July 1, 2020
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : Not clear
ISP's blocked : Airtel and Reliance Jio
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29-June-2020
Date of the block : June 29, 2020
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : 69 A block
ISP's blocked : In view of the emergent nature of threats, the Gov. of India decided to block 59 apps in view of information availablethat they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.
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29-June-2020
Date of the block : June 29, 2020
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : Not clear
ISP's blocked : Not Provided
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2019
Date of the block : 2019
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : 69 A block
ISP's blocked : Not Provided
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2018
Date of the block : 2018
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : 69 A block
ISP's blocked : Not Provided
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2017
Date of the block : 2017
Court Block/The IT Act, 2000 69 A Block/Others : 69A block
ISP's blocked : Not Provided
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