Cracking the whip, the DeitY had blocked 310 accounts on

Twitter and other social networking sites last year and the committee had met to confirm the same order. However, three twitter account holders and a website owner deposed before the committee and furnished written undertaking to remove the objectionable material after which they were taken off from the blocking list. In case of other 306, the Committee said these do not merit any intervention and therefore they would remain blocked under section 69A of Information and Technology Act and Information Technology (Procedures and safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009. According to Section 69A of IT act, the government can block or ban any such material available on the Internet which can be detrimental to the country's sovereignty, integrity and security. The Information Technology (Procedures and safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 lays down the procedures, guidelines for blocking of the website or information generated, transmitted via the Internet for the general public. The rule makes provision for an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary shall be designated by the central government for issuing a direction for blocking for access by the public any objectionable website.