Delhi High Court Petition Seeks Probe into Instagram 'Copyright Strike' Extortion Allegations

A new Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Delhi High Court is calling for a high-level probe into an alleged digital extortion racket operating through Instagram's copyright infringement system. The petition seeks the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate claims that users are being threatened with copyright strikes to extract money.

The case encountered an immediate procedural shift as Justice Tejas Karia recused himself from hearing the matter. No reasons for the recusal were specified in the initial reports. The petition will now be reassigned to another bench.

For the global Desi community, where a significant portion of business, artistic, and social interaction occurs on platforms like Instagram, this case highlights a critical vulnerability. Content creators, small business owners, and influencers in the diaspora often rely on the platform for their livelihood and cultural reach. An alleged system of weaponizing copyright strikes to extort payments represents a direct threat to digital entrepreneurship and creative expression. The outcome of this PIL could influence how social media platforms are policed in India, setting a precedent for accountability and user protection that resonates with millions of users worldwide.