Overview
- An interim order in Motorola’s Bengaluru defamation suit directed YouTube to block some India views of videos critical of its phones, according to a creator who said there was no prior notice to those affected.
- The suit, filed March 23, seeks a permanent ban on what Motorola calls false or defamatory posts, covering reviews, reaction videos, comments, community polls, and boycott campaigns, and it includes a John Doe clause to add future critics.
- By naming X, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and parent Meta as defendants, Motorola is challenging Section 79 of India’s IT law, which shields platforms that host user posts if they follow required due-diligence steps.
- An annexure lists more than 360 links on YouTube and X dating back to 2019, sweeping in safety claims such as phones allegedly catching fire along with unfavorable reviews and user commentary.
- Creators and digital-rights groups warn the case will chill independent product reviews, while some industry executives back tougher action against unverified claims; Motorola and the platforms declined to comment, and one creator said company managers blamed a third-party agency for a takedown notice.