The Supreme Court in New Delhi on Thursday granted the Union government a “last opportunity” to file a counter-affidavit, or formal legal response, and an action-taken report detailing measures taken to implement its directions on mandatory reporting of child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) by social media intermediaries. The case concerns implementation of the court’s September 23, 2024 judgment in Just Rights for Children Alliance v. S. Harish. The next hearing is scheduled for October 15.
A bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran noted that, despite an August 14, 2026 order, neither the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology nor the Ministry of Law and Justice had filed the required documents. “Unfortunately, till this date, no such counter or report has come on record. The matter before us is extremely serious. We grant one last opportunity to both the ministries to file that counter/report,” the bench said.
Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, appearing for the government, told the court that it was treating the issue seriously. “In the case of one of the companies, we have already issued notice and initiated proceedings,” he said. The court directed the Centre to explain the steps taken to implement the 2024 judgment and curb the circulation of CSEAM.
The report must also outline proposed safeguards to prevent future compliance failures by social media intermediaries. Additionally, the government must provide a draft standard operating procedure, or SOP, for handling CSEAM cases at least four to five days before the next hearing, allowing the petitioner to submit its comments and suggestions.
In its 2024 judgment, the apex court held that intermediaries must fulfil statutory obligations to report CSEAM to law-enforcement agencies, including under Sections 19 to 21 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Rule 11 of the POCSO Rules. The ruling also considered their obligations when seeking protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, commonly known as the “safe harbour” provision.
The application by Just Rights for Children Alliance seeks, among other measures, a uniform SOP covering CSEAM detection, mandatory reporting, preservation of evidence and coordination among relevant agencies. It also seeks prompt uploading of offenders’ details to the National Database of Sexual Offenders, timely law-enforcement action on intermediary reports and criminal proceedings against platforms that fail to comply.
The application followed a media report alleging that Instagram carried paid advertisements promoting CSEAM, raising concerns about compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions and statutory obligations of social media intermediaries.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/09/24/sc-gives-centre-last-opportunity-to-file-action-taken-report-on-cseam-reporting-by-social-media-intermediaries/
Category: NATIONAL,News Alert,REGIONAL
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Publish Date: 2026-09-24 22:11:00
