The Indian government on Friday threw its weight behind a case against Internet giants that are embroiled in a battle over offensive content after a judge warned that Web sites could be blocked. The case, which has stoked worries about freedom of speech in the world’s largest democracy, was brought by a private petitioner seeking to remove images considered offensive to Hindus, Muslims and Christians from Web sites. The government on Friday officially sanctioned prosecuting 21 companies including Google and Facebook. The next hearing, when senior executives could be summoned, was set for March, local media said.

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