CJI for restrictions on websites exclusively circulating porn

New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) Chief Justice of India K G
Balakrishnan Saturday advocated placing "restrictions" on
websites that exclusively circulate pornography and hate
content.
"Government can place restrictions on websites that
exclusively circulate pornography and hate speech," Justice
Balakrishnan said here.
A few months ago, he had suggested an outright ban on
such websites but had added that it would not be right to
place a "blanket ban" on all categories of websites.
He said police often face several practical difficulties
in tracing criminals located in foreign jurisdictions and have
to rely on computer experts to track down perpetrators.
"For local jurisdiction there are problems on account of
the structure of the flow of information over the internet.
End users can use fake identities and proxy server locations
to misguide the investigating agencies," he said addressing a
seminar on enforcement of cyber laws.
He said in one case Government had expressed its
helplessness in closing down a website that advertised kits
for medical termination of pregnancy.
"The Government said it is difficult to ban the website
as it was an international website," he said.
The CJI, who demits office on May 11, said more and more
persons are being victimised through the digital medium "and
it is our moral responsibility to tackle the misuse of
information technology."
In a word of caution for investigating agencies, he said
a distinction should be made between intermediaries such as
network service providers, website operators and individual
users for the purpose of placing liabilities.
He said well-known people, including stars were facing
problem of their photographs being morphed for pornographic
content on the Internet.
Speaking at the seminar, Supreme Court judge Justice
Altamas Kabir, who also heads National Project Committee on
enforcement of cyber laws, said the IT Act, 2000 has been
amended to ensure implementation of various provisions with
changing times.
He said amendments also help to connect various penal
laws and the Evidence Act with the IT Act "to meet the
challenges of the digital age." PTI