Shreya Singhal Case
The case that struck down Section 66A of the IT Act and protected online speech.
🎯 Learning Objectives
- ▸ Understand Section 66A of the IT Act
- ▸ Analyze why it was struck down
- ▸ Understand its connection to privacy and surveillance
The Problem with Section 66A
Section 66A of the IT Act made it a crime to send "offensive" or "annoying" messages. The police used it to arrest people for social media posts. It had a massive chilling effect on free speech.
The Decision
The Supreme Court struck down the law, holding that it violated Article 19(1)(a). The Court emphasized that the internet is a powerful medium for free speech and must be protected.
While this case is about speech, it is deeply connected to privacy. The police often rely on IP addresses and user data to track down people who post "offensive" content. By limiting the law, the Court also reduced the need for surveillance.
📖 Glossary
- Section 66A
- A controversial provision of the IT Act that criminalized sending offensive online messages, struck down in 2015.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Section 66A criminalized "offensive" online speech.
- It was struck down for being vague and chilling free speech.
- This case reinforced the importance of anonymity and privacy online.
📚 Further Reading
- Shreya Singhal v. Union of India — Supreme Court of India (2015)
Shilpi Kulshrestha
Shilpi is a corporate lawyer with over a decade of experience in data protection, company law, and regulatory compliance. She has advised 50+ startups and enterprises on DPDPA readiness, privacy gover...