Between March and July 2026, government agencies issued 1.95 lakh social media blocking orders through the Home Ministry's Sahyog portal — one every 68 seconds. Meta has automated takedowns by linking its API to the portal to meet the mandated 2-3 hour timeline, raising serious questions under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act. This is a high-yield intermediary liability, free speech and digital governance issue for exams.
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- ›Total blocking orders (Mar-Jul 2026): 1.95 lakh (~1,275/day; one every 68 seconds)
- ›Instagram orders: ~1 lakh (just over half)
- ›Target this Data: 1.95 lakh blocking orders in 5 months; one every 68 seconds; ~1,275 orders/day
- ›Target this Nodal Body: Union Home Ministry's Sahyog Portal
- ›Target this Legal Point: Section 79(3)(b) and Section 69(A) of IT Act, 2000; IT Rules 2021 amendment (2-3 hour takedown)
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