The Delhi High Court has issued a contempt of court notice to Wikipedia for allegedly failing to comply with the court's order to disclose information about subscribers who made defamatory edits on a news agency's Wikipedia page. The court has warned Wikipedia against non-compliance with Indian laws and stated that it will ask the government to block the site if it does not cooperate. The case, filed by the news agency ANI, accuses Wikipedia of allowing edits describing the agency as a "propaganda tool" of the Indian government. The court has also ordered a representative of the Wikimedia Foundation to be present at the next hearing in October.
Background:
The Delhi High Court has issued a contempt notice to Wikipedia over its alleged failure to comply with a court order to provide information about Wikipedia subscribers who made defamatory edits on the Wikipedia page of the news agency ANI. The accusations stem from edits that described ANI as a "propaganda tool" of the Indian government.
The Current Case:
In September 2023, ANI filed a contempt petition in the Delhi High Court, accusing Wikipedia of violating a previous court order to disclose the identities of the individuals who made the defamatory edits. The court had initially issued an interim order in July 2023, directing Wikipedia to provide ANI with the subscriber information.
Court's Warning:
The Delhi High Court has strongly condemned Wikipedia's alleged non-compliance and has warned against any further violations of Indian laws. The court has stated that it will not hesitate to ask the Indian government to block Wikipedia in India if it fails to cooperate.
Wikimedia Foundation's Response:
The Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia, has stated that it is deeply concerned about the contempt notice and is committed to complying with the law. However, the foundation has also emphasized the importance of protecting user privacy and has requested the court to consider alternative ways of obtaining the subscriber information without revealing their identities.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
Q1: Why did the Delhi High Court issue a contempt notice to Wikipedia?
A1: The court issued the notice after Wikipedia allegedly failed to provide information about subscribers who made defamatory edits on ANI's Wikipedia page.
Q2: What is the alleged defamation in question?
A2: The disputed edits described ANI as a "propaganda tool" of the Indian government.
Q3: What is the Wikimedia Foundation's stance on the issue?
A3: The foundation is concerned about the contempt notice but emphasizes user privacy and is exploring alternative ways to provide information without revealing identities.
Q4: What could be the consequences of Wikipedia's non-compliance?
A4: The court has warned that it may ask the Indian government to block Wikipedia in India if the platform does not cooperate.
Q5: What is the significance of this case?
A5: The case highlights the tension between freedom of speech, defamation laws, and the protection of user privacy online.
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