Uttarakhand High Court imposes ₹50k costs on Facebook for not filing reply in plea against online extortion

The Uttarakhand High Court imposed costs of ₹50,000 on social media platform Facebook for not filing its response in a plea seeking formation of guidelines to deal with online extortion [Alok Kumar v Union of India]..A bench comprising Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Ramesh Chandra Khulbe granted the company four weeks’ time to file its response, but imposed costs on it for the delay.“The costs be deposited within three weeks. It is made clear that no further time shall be granted for this purpose,” the division bench ordered.It was directed that out of the total sum, ₹25,000 shall be paid to the petitioner and rest would be deposited with the Uttarakhand High Court Bar Association..The Court was hearing a plea calling for the Central government, State government, police authorities and Facebook to frame guidelines to deal with with cases of online extortion and abuse that particularly impact the younger generation.The petitioner also prayed that a 24x7 helpline be set up to deal with online abuse..The issue arose a morphed video of the petitioner containing obscene scenes was uploaded and circulated on Facebook.The petitioner complained that as per statutory provisions, social media platforms were obligated to act in terms of a grievance redressal mechanism and self-regulating mechanism prescribed by the government..However, Facebook had failed to act in compliance of such obligations and the petitioner’s complaints had gone unaddressed.Further, the petitioner brought to the court’s notice that no counter affidavit was filed by Facebook.In this regard, the Ccourt observed that prima facie Facebook appeared to not be complying with the rules.Hence, the Court imposed costs on the company and listed the matter for further hearing on February 16, 2022..The petitioner was represented by advocates Abhijay Negi and Snigdha Tiwari.Standing counsel Azmeen Sheikh, Additional Chief Standing Counsel Pradeep Joshi appeared for the government.Advocate Vikas Bahuguna represented Facebook..[Read Order]