Delhi High Court directs Whatsapp to block groups illegally circulating e-newspapers

Dec. 29: The Delhi High Court has directed WhatsApp to take down groups which are unauthorisedly and illegally circulating the online edition of the newspapers owned by Dainik Bhaskar Corp Limited. The media house in its lawsuit named 85 groups on WhatsApp and stated that there might be many other groups and platforms where its e-newspapers have been unauthorisedly shared. The case will be heard next on May 2, 2022.

The publisher of Dainik Bhaskar and other newspapers has approached the High Court seeking directions to WhatsApp to block certain groups which are allegedly circulating its e-newspapers without authorisation. Whatsapp had earlier declined DB’s request to block such groups. Dainik Bhaskar approached the Delhi High Court seeking directions to WhatsApp to block or take down certain groups operating on the instant messaging platform wherein the group’s e-newspapers were being shared.

Dainik Bhaskar provides access to its e-newspapers on a subscription model through its official website and mobile application. Users are neither permitted to download the e-newspapers, nor are they permitted to share and circulate the same. A number of other newspaper organisations have also approached the court against WhatsApp and Telegram earlier seeking similar relief.

Illegal and unauthorised sharing of e-newspapers, across publications, has become rampant and is prejudicial to the interests of the publishers.