YouTube recently received notices from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) regarding the blocking of Bolta Hindustan and National Dastak, two digital news outlets. The MIB invoked Rule 15(2) of the Information Technology Rules 2021 and Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, prompting YouTube to take action.
Although the notices were deemed confidential, YouTube informed Bolta Hindustan and National Dastak about the directives, preventing them from sharing details with the news platforms. These small-scale media start-ups have aimed to cover news that often goes unnoticed by mainstream media.
A YouTube spokesperson clarified the platform’s response, stating that removal requests from governments globally are subject to clear policies. YouTube reviews such requests based on legal processes, evaluates content violations against Community Guidelines, and takes appropriate action, including content restriction or removal, to comply with local laws and their Terms of Service. Transparency is maintained through tracking and reporting of these requests.
Bolta Hindustan’s YouTube channel, with nearly 300,000 subscribers, was suspended after receiving the notice on April 4. The channel had previously faced suspension on Instagram in January without any explanation from the platform.
YouTube’s decision to suspend Bolta Hindustan’s channel was reportedly driven by the perception that the outlet had circumvented its Terms of Service. YouTube expects users to comply with these terms upon signing up and takes strict action against attempts to evade restrictions or termination by creating alternative channels.
Indus News TV also faced the consequences, with their videos losing monetization and experiencing reduced reach. YouTube emphasized that channels must adhere to Community Guidelines, with monetized creators needing to meet additional standards outlined in Advertiser-Friendly Guidelines. Claims that are demonstrably false and undermine trust or participation in democratic processes violate YouTube’s policies.
YouTube regularly monitors channels for compliance and takes enforcement actions for policy violations. Indus News TV’s suspension from the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) was linked to alleged violations of Advertiser-friendly content guidelines.
Both Bolta Hindustan and Indus News TV have claimed to be victims of throttling on YouTube and Facebook.
