The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday addressed a petition from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) challenging the suspension of its official Facebook page and demanding transparency regarding the reasons behind the decision.
Court Proceedings
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice R. Raghunandan Rao issued notices to the Union Ministry of Information Technology and Electronics, the Andhra Pradesh Home Department, and Meta Platforms Inc. The court directed these entities to submit detailed counter affidavits explaining the circumstances that led to the suspension of the YSRCP's Facebook page. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing.
Petitioner's Arguments
The petition was filed by YSRCP general secretary Lella Appireddy, who questioned Meta's refusal to disclose whether the page was suspended based on instructions from any government agency or official. Senior advocate S. Sriram, representing the petitioner, argued that under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, social media platforms are required to provide account holders with details of any notices or directions that result in content removal.
Sriram contended that Meta suspended the YSRCP's Facebook page without clearly revealing the reasons, notices, or correspondence related to the action. He sought court directions for Meta to furnish complete information, including the identity of any government authority that ordered the suspension and the specific content that allegedly violated platform rules or legal provisions.
Broader Implications
The case has drawn significant attention as it raises broader questions about transparency, accountability, and the rights of political parties on social media platforms. The High Court is expected to examine whether due process was followed before the suspension of the Facebook page.
