Delhi HC asks YouTube to stop hosting content that violates existing laws

After directing YouTube to remove the hacking related videos, Delhi HC has now asked YouTube to stop hosting content that violates existing laws.

The popular video streaming platform, YouTube, which showcases everything from cat videos to "how to" videos, faced a lawsuit from Tata Sky. The company had objected videos that showed how to hack into a Tata Sky set top box without a subscription.

Justice Murlidhar of Delhi HC said, "In terms of Rule 3(1) (e) of the Information Technology Intermediaries Guidelines, YouTube is obliged not to host content that violates any law for the time being in force."

In the above mentioned case, YouTube took time in deciding the category of complaint, because of confusion between parties if the complaint fell into copyright or trademark category. Though YouTube has already removed those objectionable URLs, it has been issued a statement to the same to act immediately on such complaints.

On this matter, the Delhi HC said in a statement, "There could be complaints regarding some material on the website of YouTube which by their very nature require it to act immediately without insisting on the complainant having to clearly demonstrate that the complaint falls within one or the other category that YouTube has identified for the purposes of acting on such complaints."

Though the court thinks, YouTube wasted time in deciding the category of complaints instead of taking it down as it was illegal anyway, the advocate representing YouTube, however, defended the company.

He said "They take prompt action to remove videos which require immediate attention such as that involving child pornography. In such cases, the company does not wait for any investigation. However, it is not possible for it to police all content hosted on the platform."