Published: May 26, 2025: YouTuber Mohak Mangal has accused news agency ANI (Asian News International) of exploiting YouTube’s copyright enforcement system to demand substantial payments from digital creators. Mangal, known for his current affairs content, claims ANI requested annual payments ranging from ₹30 to ₹40 lakh to resolve copyright strikes on his videos. He further alleges that ANI later demanded ₹48 lakh plus GST to reverse a strike and restore access to his channel, labeling the actions as “extortion” and “blackmail.”
In a 10-minute exposé video, Mangal presented email and phone call records to support his claims. He contends that his use of short video clips, under 10 seconds, falls under YouTube’s fair use policy, which permits limited use for purposes like news, education, and commentary.
Mangal is not alone in his allegations. Another YouTuber, Paurush Sharma, reported receiving two copyright strikes from ANI, followed by demands for payment or a subscription, with threats of channel removal if he did not comply.
As of now, neither ANI nor YouTube India have issued public statements regarding these allegations.
The situation has sparked significant public outrage on social media, with many users calling on the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, YouTube, and Google to intervene. Critics argue that YouTube’s copyright policy grants disproportionate power to entities like ANI, enabling them to pressure creators into compliance.
