Why is the IT ministry’s blocking desk confirming takedowns under a different provision?
Journalist Ila Kazmi's Instagram account was blocked in India since September 2026 without clarity on legal grounds. When she inquired, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Section 69A Cell stated the account was blocked under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, directing her to contact the state. This divergence matters because Section 69A requires committee review and user hearings, while Section 79(3)(b) removes platform immunity without such protections. The Internet Freedom Foundation is providing legal support and questioning why the blocking authority cited a different provision than the one under which it operates.
Key points
- Journalist's account blocked without clear legal justification initially
- Officials cited Section 79(3)(b) instead of Section 69A, their stated jurisdiction
- Section 79(3)(b) lacks hearing and review protections that Section 69A provides
- Raises questions about accountability in India's content blocking mechanisms
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