The Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, strongly criticized Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, for its inadequate response to a plea filed by media group TV Today Network regarding the blocking of its Instagram page, Harper’s Bazaar India.
Court’s Remarks
A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora reprimanded the tech giant, comparing its functioning unfavorably to that of a government department. The court warned Meta that if the media house’s complaint remained unresolved, it would infer that the social media platform was deliberately evading the issue. The bench emphasized the need for Meta to address the situation promptly, cautioning that failure to do so might lead the court to issue a scathing order against the company.
Background of the Case
TV Today Network Pvt Ltd had challenged the blocking of its Instagram page based on a third-party complaint alleging copyright infringement. The media house also contested the constitutionality of Rule 3(1)(c) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Court Proceedings
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel highlighted their efforts to communicate their grievances to Meta, including contacting the grievance redressal officer. However, Meta’s response was deemed unsatisfactory, with the company insisting that the complaint had not been addressed to the correct channel.
The bench directed Meta’s counsel to ensure that the media house’s complaint was properly considered and resolved. It expressed frustration at Meta’s handling of the matter, emphasizing the importance of Meta improving its response mechanisms. The court scheduled further hearings for the case and urged Meta’s counsel to provide a more effective response, cautioning that continued inefficiency could render the relevant rule invalid.
