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The Supreme Court of India has issued a significant caution regarding the regulation of digital platforms like YouTube, stressing that excessively rigid controls could have a chilling effect on freedom of speech. While acknowledging the urgent need to prevent misuse of online spaces and protect individual rights, the Court reiterated that any regulatory mechanism must be balanced, flexible, and constitutionally sound. Supreme Court’s Emphasis on a Balanced Digital Regulatory Framework During the hearing on Monday, a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi highlighted that the rising misuse of YouTube and similar platforms demands stringent oversight. However, the judges warned that harsh and inflexible rules could unintentionally impose a gag on free expression and lead to devastating consequences for digital creators and public discourse. The Bench stated that increasing incidents of online content violating privacy, dignity, and individual r...

Introduction: Government Mandates Pre-Installation of Sanchar Saathi The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a new directive requiring all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and importers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on every new mobile handset manufactured or imported for sale in India. The circular, issued on Monday, instructs companies such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo and others to ensure that the app is clearly visible to users at the time of first use or device setup , and that its core functionalities must remain fully operational without restrictions. What is Sanchar Saathi? (From the above para: “Whatis Sanchar Saathi?”) Launched in May 2023 , Sanchar Saathi is a centralized telecom security and consumer protection platform developed by the DoT. It integrates multiple services designed to prevent telecom fraud, track misuse of mobile resources, and assist users in safeguarding their devices. Key functionalities include: Repo...