SC fines on Google, Facebook and WhatsApp

New Delhi, May 22: The division bench Supreme Court has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on Internet giants Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Microsoft and WhatsApp on Monday, 21 May,for failing to file their replies on the steps taken by them to block videos of sexual offences on social sites.

The order was issued by a bench comprising of Justices Madan B Lokur and U U Lalit.

A report by Bar & Bench quoted the bench as saying, "In our order dated 16.04.2018, we had required the parties before us i.e. Yahoo, Facebook Ireland, Facebook India, Google India, Google Inc., Microsoft and WhatsApp to let us know the status of progress made pursuant to the recommendations accepted by these entities as mentioned in the Report of the Committee".

The Bar & Bench report adds that the companies will have to file the affidavit of status reports with the court registry, on or before 15 June.

The statement put out by the bench added, "The Registry will accept the affidavit filed by these entities along with costs of Rs 1 lac each which will be kept in a fixed deposit for a short-term period immediately upon receipt".

Saying that a lot of work was left to be done, in terms of the state's progress in the matter, the court added that certain state measures, including the launch of the Online Cyber Crime reporting portal, should be expedited so they are launched by Saturday, 30 June.

It also directed the Centre to have a web portal ready by Monday, 21 May, to enable citizens to lodge complaints on child sexual abuse, child pornography and gang rape videos.

The matter will next be taken up on Monday, 2 July, the report says.