Picture used for representational purpose. A ‘photo’ of a blue whale cutting on the arm of a person allegedly playing the online game. (Courtesy: The Siberian Times)

New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday said that action will be taken against Internet-based social media platforms if they fail to remove links to the deadly Blue Whale Challenge game which has led youngsters to commit suicide in the country.

Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “People are committing suicide due to the blue whale game. We have received many complaints including the ones from the concerned departments. Instructions have been issued to all the technology platforms that they must delink this game for under the Indian IT ecosystem no initiative shall be permitted that provokes youngsters to commit suicide. This is unacceptable.”On August 11, the government had directed Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Microsoft and Yahoo to remove the links to this online game which claimed the lives of many children in India and other countries.

“I appeal to all platforms to abide by the direction...the violation will be viewed seriously,” he said. None of the companies replied to the email.