MeitY workshop on notices to intermediaries: how Sections 69A and 79(3)(b) of the IT Act work
On 7 October 2025 in New Delhi, MeitY held a workshop on 'Management of Information on Intermediary Platforms', where Secretary S. Krishnan explained the scope of Sections 69A and 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000 and called for standardised notices to intermediaries.
Summary
On 7 October 2025 in New Delhi, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) held a workshop on 'Management of Information on Intermediary Platforms' to sensitise officials on Sections 69A and 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000 and Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021, and to standardise notice formats. Section 79(3)(b) read with Rule 3(1)(d) empowers ministries, departments and States/UTs to send notices to intermediaries about unlawful information. MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan explained that Section 69A empowers the Government, in its executive capacity, to block online content that threatens national security, public order or friendly relations with foreign States, while Section 79 puts intermediaries on notice of their obligations and possible liability, with final adjudication resting with the judiciary. He said notices under 79(3)(b) must cite the relevant legal provisions and be clear and consistent.
Key facts
- Workshop
- Management of Information on Intermediary Platforms — MeitY, 7 Oct 2025
- Section 69A
- Executive power to block content — national security, public order, foreign relations
- Section 79(3)(b)
- With Rule 3(1)(d), IT Rules 2021 — notices to intermediaries on unlawful information
- Adjudication
- Under Section 79, final adjudication rests with the judiciary
- Ask
- Standardised notices citing legal provisions
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Which section of the IT Act, 2000 empowers the Government, in its executive capacity, to block online content that threatens national security, public order or friendly relations with foreign States?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Section 69A
PIB: MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan explained that Section 69A empowers the Government, in its executive capacity, to block online content in such cases; Section 79(3)(b) deals with notices to intermediaries.
Consider the following statements: 1. Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, read with Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021, empowers ministries, departments and States/UTs to send notices to intermediaries. 2. Under Section 79, final adjudication of an intermediary's liability rests with the executive. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: Section 79(3)(b) read with Rule 3(1)(d) empowers ministries, departments and States/UTs to send notices to intermediaries; Section 79 places intermediaries on notice, while final adjudication rests with the judiciary.