Websites offering escort services to vanish as govt orders `immediate blocking`

New Delhi: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have been directed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to immediately block some 240 websites that allegedly offer escort services.

This is the latest attempt by the government to block obscene content on the Internet, The Times of India reported on Tuesday.

Last year, the government had sought to block several pornographic websites but was forced on the backfoot following an uproar.

As per the latest ministry directive issued on Monday, ISPs must block websites offering escort services or face action under the Information Technology Rules, 2009.

Some of the websites against which the government has sought action include pinkysingh.com, jasmineescorts.com, onlyoneescorts.com, payalmalhotra.in, localescorts.in, pearlpatel.in, kavyajain.in, xmumbai.in, shimi.in and anchu.in, the newspaper reported.