Popular YouTuber Mohak Mangal has accused the leading news agency ANI of using copyright enforcement tools to demand an exorbitant sum of money, which he has described as “extortion.” In a letter addressed to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Mangal claims that ANI demanded ₹48 lakh plus GST to reverse a copyright strike filed against his YouTube channel.

The Copyright Controversy

The controversy centers around Mangal’s 33-minute video supporting India’s Operation Sindoor, which was taken down from YouTube after ANI filed a copyright claim over the alleged use of 9 seconds of its footage. Mangal’s video, which had gathered 2 million views, was removed, and the YouTuber accuses ANI of misusing copyright laws to “blackmail” creators.

In his letter to the Minister, Mangal highlighted how this action could harm the creative economy of India, emphasizing that creators like him are digital ambassadors who promote India’s story globally. He called for the government’s intervention to prevent such acts from disrupting the work of Indian creators.

Social Media Outrage

The incident has triggered widespread outrage on social media, with influencers, comedians, and users rallying behind Mangal.

• Kunal Kamra demanded that YouTube India should hold ANI accountable, while urging the platform to ban ANI for “blackmailing creators.”
• Influencer Dhruv Rathee called it “an extortion racket” and encouraged creators to unite against such practices.
• Twitter users like @moviesjockey and @ProfessorOfHow have called for financial penalties against ANI and clearer copyright policies to protect creators.

Gaps in India’s Copyright Framework

This incident has also brought attention to the loopholes in India’s copyright framework, particularly regarding “fair use” provisions. Critics argue that platforms like YouTube, which rely on automated copyright claim systems, are prone to misuse by powerful entities.

At the time of writing, neither ANI nor YouTube India have issued any official statements addressing the allegations.