Networking site users want their accounts protected, move HC

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Several users of social networking sites have decided to approach the high courts in their states seeking protection of their accounts on Facebook and other such sites.

The move came with the centre granting approval for prosecuting 21 social networking sites, including Facebook, Google and others, and the Delhi High Court threatening to shut down such websites.

A senior advocate practising in the Supreme Court claimed that he has been approached by several users of various social networking sites from Gurgaon, Noida and Bengaluru to move the court as they were apprehensive that the Delhi High Court may direct the central government to block these sites.

“Users in cities like Gurgaon and Noida are constitutionally entitled to reject the wisdom of the Delhi High Court and seek protection from their own High Courts. Similarly, users elsewhere in India are equally entitled to protect their access to Facebook and other sites by approaching their respective high courts,” the advocate said.

In the event of the Delhi High Court directing the Centre to block these sites, users of these sites outside the National Capital Region may move their respective high courts.

They can also seek a direction to the state government to limit the order of the Delhi High Court to the territory of Delhi only, and not to the territory or state of the aggrieved Internet users, the advocate said.