What is in news: Central Government has directed all states and Union Territories to ask police stations under their jurisdiction to withdraw FIRs registered under Section 66 of Information Technology Act, 2000.

Section 66 A :

• Gave authorities the power to arrest anyone accused of posting content on social media that could be deemed ‘offensive’.
• A person could be convicted if proved on the charges of sending any ‘information that is grossly offensive or has menacing character’
• Penalty prescribed for the above was up to three years’ imprisonment with fine

NOTE : SC had struck down section 66A on March 24, 2015 after noting it as “vague and arbitrary” (Shreya Singhal v. Union of India)