Law and information and technology minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad has said on Wednesday that the government will take severe action against internet-based social media platforms, if they do not remove links to the deadly, Blue Whale Challenge game. Reportedly, the online game has led children to commit suicide in the nation.
“People are committing suicide due to Blue Whale game. We received many complaints including from the concerned departments. Clear instructions have been issued to all the technology platforms that they must delink this game immediately because under the Indian IT ecosystem no initiative shall be permitted which provokes young boys to commit suicide. This is plainly unacceptable,” he said.
On 11 August, the government directed internet majors such as Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Microsoft and Yahoo to instantly remove links to the dangerous online game. Blue Whale Challenge has led to suicide of kids in India as well as in other countries.
“I appeal all the platforms to abide by the direction which the IT ministry has given. It is important and the violation will be viewed very seriously,” Prasad said.
The social media based game starts by giving certain tasks to its players for a period of 50 days. The final task leads to suicide. The player is asked to share pictures after finishing the tasks.
Mumbai and West Midnapore district have reported deaths related to Blue Whale Challenge game.
