X blocks 8,000 accounts in India under government order

Social media platform X has begun blocking over 8,000 accounts in India following executive orders from the Indian government, according to the company. The move comes after the government warned of significant fines and possible imprisonment of X’s local employees if the orders were not complied with.Blocking orders explainedThe orders mandate X to restrict access to several accounts within India, including those of international news organisations and prominent users.

Despite complying, X has expressed concerns about the nature of the orders, stating that the government did not specify which posts violated local laws or provide justifications for blocking a large number of accounts.

The company stated that blocking entire accounts without clear reasons amounts to censorship of both existing and future content, undermining the right to free speech. Despite its opposition, X stated that it would comply to maintain the platform’s accessibility in India, which it deems essential for the public’s ability to access information.

X criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the government’s actions, asserting that publicising the executive orders is crucial to ensure accountability. However, legal restrictions prevent the company from publishing the orders at this time.

Legal recourse

The company is exploring all legal avenues to challenge the orders but noted that Indian law limits its ability to contest such directives directly. X has urged affected users to seek judicial relief independently.

This development marks yet another instance of social media platforms clashing with Indian authorities over content moderation and censorship. The ongoing tussle highlights the challenges faced by global tech firms in navigating the country’s increasingly stringent digital regulations.

Support for affected usersTo assist those impacted, X has provided notice to affected users as per its policies. Users who wish to challenge the blocking orders can seek assistance from the following legal aid organisations:

• iProbono India: i-probono.in
• National Legal Services Authority: nalsa.gov.in
• Karnataka Legal Services Authority: kslsa.kar.nic.in
• Supreme Court Legal Services: sci.gov.in/legal-aid