New Delhi, June 19: Cyber law expert Dr. Pavan Duggal welcomed the Delhi High Court‘s decision to dismiss a petition challenging the temporary ban on the Telegram app. He stated that the court prioritized national interest and citizen safety by interpreting the law correctly.
In an interview with a news agency, Dr. Duggal noted that the High Court provided clear and solid legal grounds in its ruling. According to him, Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, grants the central government the authority to temporarily block any online content or platform that poses a threat to the country’s sovereignty, integrity, security, or public order, or violates citizens’ rights.
He emphasized that the court found the government’s use of powers under Section 69A to be appropriate and legitimate. The circumstances were deemed urgent, as the Telegram platform had previously been used for leaking, selling, and illegally distributing exam question papers. The government aims to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
Dr. Duggal clarified that the ban on Telegram is not permanent and will remain in effect only until June 22. This serves as a clear message to all digital platforms and service providers that compliance with Indian laws is mandatory for operations in India. If investigative agencies request information regarding a case, the respective platform must cooperate; failure to do so could lead to legal action.
He also mentioned that Telegram still has legal options available. The company can appeal the High Court’s decision and approach the Supreme Court. The court’s ruling underscored that national security and the interests of citizens are paramount.
Dr. Duggal pointed out that various changes could occur on platforms that users may not be aware of. Indian users often trust information readily available online. Therefore, if any message, document, or date is altered, it could lead to confusion and make individuals susceptible to cyber fraud.
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