Screen content or face ban: HC to FB, Google

The Delhi High Court on Thursday warned Facebook and Google that their websites could be blocked if they did not remove objectionable materials.

The High Court observed, "Like China, we will block all such websites" that carry objectionable materials.

The websites were asked by the court to create a mechanism to screen their content.

In another setback to the websites, the High Court also refused to stay proceedings against the Internet giants going on in a magistrate court.

On Wednesday, Facebook and Google had challenged trial court orders issuing summons to the websites, following which the High Court had issued a notice to the Delhi Police.

The magistrate of the trial court had observed that the material submitted by the complainant contained obscene pictures and derogatory articles pertaining to various Hindu gods, Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ.

The trial court had also directed the central government to take immediate appropriate steps on the objectionable content of the sites and file its report by January 13.