Will act against social media platforms to stop Blue Whale challenge: Govt

New Delhi: The government will take action against internet-based social media platforms if they fail to remove links to the deadly Blue Whale Challenge game which has led children to suicide in the country, law and information and technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Wednesday.

"People are committing suicide due to Blue Whale game. We received many complaints including from the concerned departments," Prasad said.

"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 added.

Government on August 11 had directed internet majors - Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Microsoft and Yahoo - to immediately remove the links to dangerous online game Blue Whale Challenge, which has led to suicide of children in India and 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.