India does not censor online content, MeitY Secretary S Krishnan has said, offering a detailed explanation of how the country's social media blocking framework functions.

Key facts

  • MeitY Secretary S Krishnan says the government does not censor content.
  • He outlined the legal framework governing social media blocking in India.
  • The remarks clarify how takedown and blocking decisions are made.

'We do not censor content'

Krishnan emphasised that the government's role is not to censor but to act within a defined legal structure when content violates the law.

"We do not censor content."

How the blocking framework works

According to Krishnan, the framework operates through established legal provisions that allow the government to direct platforms to block or remove specific content under defined circumstances. The process, he indicated, follows due procedure rather than arbitrary decision-making.

Why it matters

The clarification comes amid ongoing debate over the balance between free expression and regulation of online platforms in India, one of the world's largest internet markets.