Context:
The Ministry of Electronics and IT has blocked Telegram in India until June 22 after a request from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts NEET. The action followed allegations that leaked NEET questions and communication with students were being circulated through Telegram channels.
Explanation:
- Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app founded by Pavel Durov and Nikolai Durov in 2013, with emphasis on privacy, large groups and fast sharing.
- It allows large groups/channels, file sharing, synced access across devices, and communication through public or private channels.
- Telegram differs from WhatsApp because it can host very large communities.
- Its privacy-focused design and public-channel system make it useful for education, news and communities, but also vulnerable to misuse for paper leaks, piracy, fraud and illegal content sharing.
- The blocking order was issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which allows the government to block online information in the interest of sovereignty, security, public order or prevention of offences.
- NTA alleged that some Telegram channels demanded money, from a few thousand rupees to several lakhs, for access to re-examination papers.
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