Double Trouble: Case Against Twitter By Delhi Police Under POCSO, IT Act

By OB Bureau On Jun 29, 2021

Complaint Twitter India Head — Pic courtesy BBC

New Delhi: The Cyber Cell of Delhi Police on Tuesday lodged an FIR against Twitter based on a complaint it received from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) last month. The case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and IT Act.

On May 29, the NCPCR had filed a complaint against the micro-blogging platform for providing misinformation and violating POCSO Act, after an inquiry found child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the site, News 18 reported.

In an interview with ANI, NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo had said, “Complaint filed against Twitter for providing misinformation and violating POCSO Act, FIR registered. We’ve written to Centre that children shouldn’t be given access to Twitter till the platform isn’t safe for them.”

In a letter dated June 26, the NCPCR asked Delhi Police to book Twitter under relevant sections of the IT Act and IPC.

It asked the DCP of Delhi Police Cyber Cell, to appear before the commission in person on or before June 29. It asked the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anyesh Roy to explain why no action was taken against Twitter as per the NCPCR’s letter to Delhi Police.

Earlier on June 25, the NCPCR had written a reminder letter to Delhi Police demanding a report on the action taken by them against Twitter over providing false information during an investigation and not cooperating. The NCPCR also sought a report from the police within three days. The reminder from NCPCR came after the Delhi Police failed to provide a report after FIR was registered by the child commission against Twitter.

NCPCR had earlier sought a response from Twitter regarding certain links related to child pornography and other matters concerning child welfare on social media which Twitter refused, India TV reported.