Meta and Google Executives Summoned Again by ED on July 28 After Skipping Initial Deposition
Executives from Meta and Google were scheduled to depose before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 21, 2025, in an ongoing money‑laundering investigation tied to the promotion of illegal online betting and gambling platforms. They failed to appear, citing the need more time to gather relevant information and documents. As a result, the ED has issued fresh summons, requiring their appearance on July 28, 2025, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The probe covers how these platforms were able to advertise via Google and Meta’s networks, and extends beyond tech companies to include actors, celebrities, and sports figures linked to the case.
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ED Summons Four Leading South Indian Actors Over Illegal Online Betting Promotions
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summons to prominent South Indian film actors -Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi – as part of its probe into illegal online betting and gaming platforms. Each has been called to appear on scheduled dates. The ED initiated an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after receiving multiple FIRs from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh police, alleging that these celebrities endorsed betting apps like Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, and Lotus365, which allegedly generated crores in illicit funds. The ED aims to ascertain whether these actors knowingly promoted illegal gambling operations and benefited financially from them, prompting broader legal scrutiny across the celebrity ecosystem.
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Centre Bans Ullu, ALTT and Desiflix Alongside 22 Other OTT Platforms for Obscene Content
In a major enforcement action on July 25, 2025, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting directed ISPs to block access to 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Ullu, ALTT (formerly ALTBalaji), and Desiflix, citing violations of Indian laws governing obscene, vulgar, and pornographic digital content. These platforms were found in breach of multiple legal provisions such as Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023), and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 with authorities noting that much of the content consisted of prolonged sexually explicit scenes without meaningful storylines or social context. The crackdown follows earlier warnings from the Supreme Court and regulatory bodies over unmoderated erotic content available on such platforms.
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Supreme Court Refuses to Extend Stay on ‘Udaipur Files’ Release, Directs Objectors to Delhi HC
On July 25, 2025, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi declined to extend the interim stay on the release of Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder-initially imposed by the Delhi High Court on July 10, 2025. The Supreme Court noted that the Centre, after an expert review, had cleared the film for release with six edits and a new disclaimer, and advised opponents such as Maulana Arshad Madani of Jamiat Ulama‑e‑Hind and accused Mohammed Javed to seek any further relief before the Delhi High Court. The bench made clear it was not ruling on the substance of the objections and urged petitioners to move to the HC, which is expected to hear the matter on Monday, July 28, 2025.
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Delhi High Court Orders Meta and X to Remove Pirated Content of Telugu Film “Kannappa”
On July 21, 2025, the Delhi High Court granted an ex parte interim injunction in favour of Twenty‑Four Frames Factory Pvt. Ltd., the production house behind the Vishnu Manchu‑starrer Kannappa, directing Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook & Instagram) and X Corp. (formerly Twitter) to take down pirated reels, clips, and full‑movie links circulating online, as listed in the company’s submission—176–212 URLs on Meta and one on X. The court recognised over 1,700 infringing links, of which only 191 had been removed to date, and found that the unauthorised distribution was causing irreparable harm to the film’s commercial interests, distribution contracts, and reputation. Under the IT (Intermediary Guidelines & Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, platforms were ordered to disable the identified URLs and comply with ongoing provisions for dynamic takedown of future infringing material. A further hearing is listed before the Joint Registrar on September 26, 2025.
Read order here.
Madras High Court Deems ‘Bad Girl’ Teaser as Child Pornography, Orders Immediate YouTube Removal
On July 17, 2025, a bench led by Justice P. Dhanabal of the Madras High Court ruled that the teaser of the Tamil film ‘Bad Girl’ depicts sexualized images of school-age children qualifying as child pornography under Indian law. The court directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to instruct Google to take down the teaser from YouTube and all other online platforms within one month. It also mandated the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the National Commission for Women (NCW) to actively monitor the issue and initiate legal action under child protection statutes like the POCSO Act. The ruling notably emphasized that the State has a constitutional obligation to shield minors from harmful content online, invoking Articles 39(f) and 45 of the Constitution.
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MIB Nears Finalisation of Online Advertising Rules, Now at Inter‑Ministerial Stage
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has informed a parliamentary panel that draft regulations to oversee online advertising in India are now at the inter‑ministerial stage and approaching finalization. Under revised Allocation of Business rules effective July 28, 2023, the MIB now holds formal authority over online advertisements in addition to films, broadcasting, and online content. These forthcoming rules aim to establish ethical guidelines, regulate influencer marketing, manage consumer data use, and implement self-declaration and transparency norms. The parliamentary standing committee led by MP Nishikant Dubey continues to monitor progress closely as the ministry takes steps to bring digital ads into a structured regulatory framework.
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Karnataka High Court Rules Google India Cannot Be Sued for Defamatory Content on Google LLC/YouTube
On July 25, 2025, the Karnataka High Court held that Google India Pvt. Ltd., an Indian subsidiary, cannot be held liable in a defamation suit for allegedly defamatory content hosted or broadcast by its parent company Google LLC or on YouTube. The bench of Justice Vijaykumar A. Patil found no specific allegations against Google India in the plaint and emphasised that it has a distinct legal identity and no editorial or hosting control over the content in question. As a result, the court struck Google India off the list of defendants in the lawsuit, affirming that liability must attach only to the entity directly responsible-Google LLC or YouTube.
Read order here.