The Delhi High Court has directed Meta Platforms to remove fake news, derogatory posts and obscene online material targeting actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, granting her interim protection in a personality rights case.
Justice Vikas Mahajan issued the directions on October 8 in Kangana Ranaut v. Meta Platforms Inc. and Others, ordering Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, to take down the objectionable material identified by Ranaut within 72 hours.
The Court also directed the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Department of Telecommunications to instruct the concerned internet service providers and telecom operators to block access to websites hosting the flagged content within the same timeframe.
AI-generated material among the complaints
During the hearing, Ranaut raised concerns over fabricated news circulating online and obscene material allegedly created using artificial intelligence. Her plea seeks protection against the unauthorised and harmful use of her identity and the circulation of content that infringes her personality rights.
The Court had issued notices to social media intermediaries and other entities accused of publishing or hosting the disputed material, seeking their responses to the allegations.
In its interim order, the Court also allowed Ranaut to flag additional offending content discovered after the case was filed. This would cover infringing URLs, social media accounts, channels and other material.
The Court clarified that she would not need to initiate fresh proceedings every time further objectionable content came to light. Once notified of the additional material, the concerned defendants would be required to remove it or disable access to it in accordance with the order.
Next hearing in February 2027
The directions provide a mechanism for addressing further instances of allegedly infringing content as they emerge online, rather than limiting the relief to material already identified in the original plea.
The matter is scheduled to come up again before the Delhi High Court on February 3, 2027, when the proceedings are expected to continue.