Indian government issues notice to Wikipedia over bias and inaccuracies

The Indian government has issued a formal notice to Wikipedia, raising concerns over alleged bias and inaccuracies within its editorial content. ANI said in a report, citing sources, that the government’s letter addresses numerous complaints about misinformation on the platform, alleging that a small group of editors wields disproportionate control over Wikipedia’s content.


The government is reportedly questioning why the platform should not be classified as a publisher rather than an intermediary. This distinction holds regulatory implications. As an intermediary, Wikipedia is shielded from liability for the content it hosts, whereas as a publisher, it could face legal accountability for inaccuracies or misinformation.

The notice comes amid the ongoing legal battle, with ANI recently filing a defamation lawsuit against Wikipedia. ANI claims the platform permitted defamatory edits labelling it as a "propaganda tool" for the Indian government. On November 4, the Delhi High Court questioned Wikipedia’s claim of being an “encyclopaedia,” expressing concern over its refusal to remove the disputed content.

Earlier, the high court directed Wikipedia to disclose the identities of three editors involved in these disputed edits. However, the Wikimedia Foundation has appealed this order, which is currently under review by a division bench. The court is also hearing ANI’s petition demanding the takedown of the page, which continues to describe ANI as a "mouthpiece of the incumbent Government of India."

Also Read: Delhi HC calls Wikipedia's open-edit model 'dangerous' in ANI defamation case