Google, Facebook case: Govt to explain current policy by this evening

New Delhi:  Court hearings today did not bring any respite for Google or Facebook, both of who are in legal trouble over obscene material posted on their sites. Yesterday, the Delhi High Court warned that like China, India can shut down these sites. Today, a lower court that had summoned executives from the companies fixed the next hearing for March 13. A crucial development is expected this afternoon, when the government will explain in writing what, in its opinion, can be done to prevent objectionable content from being posted online, and how it currently deals with the issue.

Google and Facebook have appealed against the lower court's proceedings in the Delhi High Court, which will consider the matter on Monday.

Internet companies say they cannot develop a method to monitor defamatory or obscene material that's been posted on their sites. "No human interference is possible, and moreover, it can't be feasible to check such incidents. Billions of people across the globe post their articles on the website."  That met with an angry response from the Delhi High Court yesterday, which said, "You just have a stringent check.  Otherwise, like China, we may pass orders banning all such web sites."

The case centres on a petition filed in December by a man named Vinay Rai, who referred to obscene depictions online of Jesus Christ, the Prophet Mohammed, and various Hindu deities.  In response, a Delhi magistrate summoned the executives of 21 companies and suggested they face trial for criminal conspiracy.

Source : www.ndtv.com