SC directs Search Engines like Google to drop all kinds of Foetal Sex Test Advertisements

November,17,2016:

Such Advertisements are already banned the publication of such ads in the print media.

Supreme Court has directed Microsoft, Google and Yahoo to block all the pre-natal sex determination advertisements hosted by them as it is a violation of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 as per the Act sex determination of foetus is prohibited in India.

Apex Court Bench which was headed by Justice Dipak Misra asked search engines to do so within the next 36 hours of a nodal agency of the Centre, which is to be appointed, pointed out to them each such advertisements.

The nodal agency is also empowered to receive any complaints from the general public.

“Union of India shall constitute a nodal agency which would give the advertisments on TV, radio and in the newspapers that if anybody comes across anything which identify a girl or a boy (at pre-natal stage), it should be brought to notice of nodal agency.

Supreme Court further added that,"Once it is brought to notice of nodal agency, it shall inform search engines and they, after receiving the information, are obliged to delete it within 36 hours and inform the nodal agency, the bench said.

Apex Court has fixed the matter for further hearing on the February 17,2017 stating that the interim arrangement would continue till the issue pertaining to the advertisements relating to the pre-natal sex determination was debated upon before.

SC Judgment Directing Social Media and Search Engines to Drop Foetal Sex Test Advertisements by latest laws team on Scribd