Asia Bizz: It seems like search engine giants like Google, Yahoo and social networking sites like Facebook are in trouble as the Indian government has decided to take action against them. Indian prosecutors are taking the internet giants to court as they refused to remove content considered insulting to Indian leaders, as well as major religious figures in the country.
The officials of the Indian government are upset about the content related to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and other major leaders. Some of the content has even showed Singh and Gandhi in compromising positions while pigs are seen running through Mecca which is considered as the holiest city of Islam.
On January 13, 2012, the federal government told the New Delhi court that there was enough evidence to proceed against the 21 sites for offences of promoting enmity between classes and causing prejudice to national integration.
The lawsuit has been filed against Microsoft, Yahoo, Google and Facebook, who represent a business in the country of 1 billion people, who look towards technology to boost their economy as well as their standard of living. If convicted, it could result in fines and imprisonment up to five years. Last year, India’s telecommunications minister warned the social networking sites regarding to remove the controversial content.
