Can't Ruin a Generation: Delhi HC Cracks Down on Porn Apps

Delhi High Court dropped a bombshell on May 13, ordering Google and Apple to purge their app stores of apps linked to pornography, sex work, drug peddling, and human trafficking. Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia didn't mince words: 'We won't allow an entire generation to be destroyed.' Triggered by activist Rubika Thapa's PIL, the petition exposed how easily accessible these illicit apps are, luring users into illegal underworlds via smartphones. With millions of downloads, their impact on impressionable minds is catastrophic, the court noted. Invoking IT Rules 2021, the judges held platforms accountable for hosting and allowing such content. They demanded proactive measures: no more lax approvals, constant monitoring, and swift takedowns. The reach of these apps amplifies their poison, directly corroding youth and society. The Centre backed the move through ASG Chetan Sharma, who stressed collaborative action. 'Governments worldwide can't police every corner of the internet alone—tech firms must own their turf,' he remarked. As Google and Apple comply, this verdict could reshape app ecosystems, prioritizing user safety over unchecked profiteering. It serves as a stern warning: digital freedom ends where illegality begins.