Internet Service Providers (ISP) in India have reportedly implemented an order from the Department of Telecom (DoT) that called for the blocking if all porn sites. Web users are reporting that they can no longer access some of the popular adult video sites as trying to access the web page only leads to a blank page.
However, the Telecom Minister, Ravishankar Prasad has not yet confirmed whether the order has taken its course or whether it was an arbitrary move by the ISPs. The way the ban has been implemented shows that the government might have had a hand on the matter as the blocked sites are coming with the following note “The site has been blocked as per the instructions of Competent Authority.”
The ban has not gone well with web users across the country with most of them airing their anger on social networking platforms such as Twitter and Reddit. On Twitter, the ban is the top trending topic as users air their disgust on the move taken by the ISPs. The anger on the social networks has mostly been aggravated by the fact that the Supreme Court has not yet issued such an order.
The situation has been complicated by the fact that most of the sites are still visible when accessed through mobile. Users using internet services from ISPs such as Airtel and Tata Photon have also not experienced any hitches in trying to access the adult content. The ban seems to have taken its course on people using internet services from MTNL, BSNL and ACT.
Prior to the ban, there were several debates across the country with Chief Justice of India, HL Dattu arguing that such a move would violate Article 21’the right to personal liberty. The chief justice had said, “how can you stop me from watching it within the four walls of my room?”
