Google, Facebook and Yahoo are among 21 internet firms facing prosecution in India for displaying obscene content

 

The web giants could now be forced into court to face charges such as spreading religious hatred and social discord, after the Indian government authorized prosecution of a case brought by a local journalist. The writer is seeking to have responsibility for material posted online placed at the door of web firms, wire service AFP reports.

 

Prosecutors want Google and company to develop mechanisms for manually checking and removing offensive material.

 

But the companies have appealed in the High Court, seeking to have the initial case stayed. Google India told the court it would be infeasible for humans to search for such incidents and remove them.