Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra stated that six to eight YouTube channels operating from foreign countries have been blocked in the last ten days...
Digital Desk: At least six YouTube channels allegedly promoting pro-Khalistan sentiments have been blocked at the instance of the government, a senior official said on Friday.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra stated that six to eight YouTube channels operating from foreign countries have been blocked in the last ten days.
He claimed that the channels with content in the Punjabi language were attempting to incite unrest in the border state.
The government action came after followers of a radical preacher and Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh stormed a police station in Ajnala with swords and guns to demand the freedom of one of their aides.
Singh was last year appointed head of 'Waris Punjab De,' which was founded by actor and activist late Deep Sidhu, at an event in Moga's Rode, the hometown of militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Another senior official stated that YouTube has been taking action on the government's requests to block channels within 48 hours.
According to the official, the government has also requested that YouTube use artificial intelligence and algorithms to automatically identify and block objectionable content.
However, in the Indian context, YouTube was facing problems because the content was being uploaded in regional languages and systems were in place to screen content in English.
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