Social media users must be given copy of takedown order: Punjab and Haryana HC

What happened: The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed that authorities ordering a social media takedown must inform the affected user as well as the intermediary, citing principles of natural justice under the 2021 IT Intermediary Guidelines. Key numbers: October 5 order; August 21 takedown order by the Yamuna Nagar superintendent of police; 2021 IT Rules. Why it matters: The court noted that only an officer of deputy inspector general rank or higher can issue such a notice, after Haryana 24 News Network said its Facebook page was blocked without prior notice.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed that authorities ordering a social media takedown must inform the affected user as well as the intermediary, citing principles of natural justice under the 2021 IT Intermediary Guidelines.

The court noted that only an officer of deputy inspector general rank or higher can issue such a notice, after Haryana 24 News Network said its Facebook page was blocked without prior notice.