Aaradhya Bachchan fake news case: Delhi HC schools Google
Aaradhya Bachchan, the daughter of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is one of the most famous star kids in India. She moved Delhi High Court against YouTube channels for reporting fake news about her health. The High Court bench heard the matter on Thursday and lambasted the platform, reportedly. YouTube was directed to remove any fake news on Bachchan available on the platform.
HC schooled Google LLC on social responsibility
The Delhi High Court ordered Google LLC to take down videos from nine YouTube channels and lambasted websites for publishing and spreading fake news regarding the health of the complainant. Justice C Hari Shankar-led bench also emphasized that the tech giant cannot overlook the social responsibility they have as they earn money from the content generated on the platform.
Your policy is faulty: Justice Shankar
Justice Shankar spoke about social responsibility in detail. He stated, "If you are making money out of what you are doing, you have a social responsibility. You can't allow such things to be posted on your platform. You acknowledge that there are certain things for which you have zero tolerance. Why should this not fall in that category? That means your policy is faulty."
The court will examine Google's policies
The court also said, "Circulating information with respect to the mental and physical health of the child is completely impermissible in law," and emphasized that the law is the same for everyone—be it a celebrity or a commoner. The court will examine the company's policies with respect to IT law. The next hearing of the case is scheduled on July 13.
The complaint has been registered against 10 entities
The HC maintained that such fake news should not be circulated on YouTube in the future. The complainant had asked 10 entities to "de-list and deactivate all videos" encircling her. Apart from YouTube, Google LLC and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Grievance Cell) were named in this case. Aaradhya sought an injunction against fake reporting as she is a minor (aged 11).
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