The Central Information Commission (CIC) has upheld the decision to deny public access to details regarding the blocking of X (formerly Twitter) accounts during the farmers’ protests. The ruling came after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) had earlier refused to provide information about the specific accounts that were blocked, citing national security concerns and potential threats to public order.
Background:
During the farmers’ protests in 2020-2021, numerous social media accounts were blocked by the government, including those associated with protest leaders, activists, and international figures. This action was taken in the interest of maintaining public order and preventing the spread of misinformation. Following this, a Right to Information (RTI) request was filed seeking information on the specific accounts that were blocked.
CIC’s Rationale:
The CIC, in its order, acknowledged the government’s justification for withholding information related to the blocking of accounts, emphasizing national security and public order concerns. It agreed with the government’s stance that revealing such details could potentially compromise law enforcement efforts and disrupt ongoing investigations.
Existing Measures:
The government has long maintained that restrictions on social media platforms, including account suspensions, are done to curb the spread of misinformation and maintain public order during sensitive periods. The decision to block accounts was backed by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Conclusion:
The CIC’s ruling highlights the complex balance between the public’s right to information and the government’s duty to ensure national security and public order. While transparency remains a key aspect of democratic governance, security concerns continue to justify restrictions on certain types of information.