X Challenges Govt’s Content Blocking in Karnataka High Court
Trending News
4 days ago

X Challenges Govt’s Content Blocking in Karnataka High Court

Deccan Chronicle  

X, formerly Twitter has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the Indian government’s use of Section 79 of the Information Technology Act to block content. The government has often directed social media companies to remove posts deemed harmful to national security or public order, but X argues that such actions must follow a proper legal framework. Experts believe that the Karnataka High Court’s ruling in this case could have significant implications for how digital platforms operate in India. The government has yet to respond to X’s petition, but legal experts suggest that this case could shape future debates on content moderation and regulatory power over social media in India.

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History of this topic

Why is X suing the Indian government as Musk woos Modi?
2 days, 4 hours ago

Why is X suing the Indian government as Musk woos Modi?

Al Jazeera  

X has filed a lawsuit alleging that New Delhi is unlawfully censoring content online. But almost a month later, Musk’s social media platform X has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government, alleging that New Delhi is unlawfully censoring content online. In a suit filed in the high court of the South Indian state of Karnataka on March 5, X …

Elon Musk's X sues union government over alleged censorship and IT Act violations
3 days, 18 hours ago

Elon Musk's X sues union government over alleged censorship and IT Act violations

The Hindu  

Social media giant 'X', owned by US billionaire Elon Musk, has filed a lawsuit in the Karnataka High Court against Government of India, challenging what it called unlawful content regulation and arbitrary censorship. It raised concerns over the Centre's interpretation of the Information Technology Act, particularly its use of Section 79, which 'X' argues violates Supreme Court rulings and undermines …

Elon Musk's X sues union government over alleged censorship and IT Act violations
Trending News
3 days, 19 hours ago

Elon Musk's X sues union government over alleged censorship and IT Act violations

Hindustan Times  

Bengaluru, Social media giant 'X', owned by US billionaire Elon Musk, has filed a lawsuit in the Karnataka High Court against Government of India, challenging what it called unlawful content regulation and arbitrary censorship. Elon Musk's X sues union government over alleged censorship and IT Act violations It raised concerns over the Centre's interpretation of the Information Technology Act, particularly …

Elon Musk’s X challenges India’s ‘unlawful’ censorship mechanism in Karnataka High Court
3 days, 20 hours ago

Elon Musk’s X challenges India’s ‘unlawful’ censorship mechanism in Karnataka High Court

Firstpost  

X Corp claims that the government’s reliance on Section 79 of the IT Act, along with the introduction of the Sahyog Portal, has led to an opaque and arbitrary takedown process that contravenes established legal procedures in India xAI and Grok logos are seen in this illustration taken, February 16, 2025. In a petition filed before the Karnataka High Court, …

X approaches HC over Centre using IT Act to block content
4 days, 1 hour ago

X approaches HC over Centre using IT Act to block content

Hindustan Times  

X, formerly Twitter, has filed a petition in the Karnataka high court challenging the Indian government’s use of Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, arguing that it not only sets up an illegal parallel content-blocking process but also violates the Supreme Court’s 2015 Shreya Singhal judgment, which declared that content could only be blocked through a competent court order …

X sues govt over use of IT Act to block content
Trending News
4 days, 1 hour ago

X sues govt over use of IT Act to block content

Hindustan Times  

X, formerly Twitter, has filed a petition in the Karnataka high court challenging the Indian government’s use of Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, arguing that it not only sets up an illegal parallel content-blocking process but also violates the Supreme Court’s 2015 Shreya Singhal judgment, which declared that content could only be blocked through a competent court order …

Elon Musk’s X sues India in new censorship battle
4 days, 4 hours ago

Elon Musk’s X sues India in new censorship battle

CNN  

New Delhi Reuters — India’s IT ministry has unlawfully expanded censorship powers to allow the easier removal of online content and empowered “countless” government officials to execute such orders, Elon Musk’s X has alleged in a new lawsuit against New Delhi. The lawsuit and the allegations mark an escalation in an ongoing legal dispute between X and Prime Minister Narendra …

Glorification Of Lawlessness Through Social Media, Reels 'Dangerous': Karnataka HC Orally Observes In X's Plea Against Centre's Sahyog Portal
6 days, 15 hours ago

Glorification Of Lawlessness Through Social Media, Reels 'Dangerous': Karnataka HC Orally Observes In X's Plea Against Centre's Sahyog Portal

Live Law  

X Corp has filed a petition before the Karnataka High Court, seeking protection from any coercive action against the company, its representatives or employees, for not joining the censorship portal 'Sahyog', till the final adjudication of its petition. 'Sahyog' Portal has been developed to automate the process of sending take down notices under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, …

SC agrees to examine plea over blocking of social media content
2 weeks, 6 days ago

SC agrees to examine plea over blocking of social media content

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a plea over issue of blocking of social media accounts or content without an opportunity to be heard to the creator or originator. SC agrees to examine plea over blocking of social media content A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih sought Centre's response on the …

From Ranveer Allahbadia to regulation: Will your fave OTT shows face more policing?
1 month ago

From Ranveer Allahbadia to regulation: Will your fave OTT shows face more policing?

India Today  

The controversy surrounding YouTuber and influencer Ranveer Allahbadia’s remarks on the show India’s Got Latent has reignited the debate on digital content regulation in India. In response to the public outrage and Supreme Court’s scrutiny, the Union government is now considering a comprehensive legal framework to regulate content on digital platforms, including over-the-top services. Among the key concerns was the …

X challenges order to block account in HC
5 months, 3 weeks ago

X challenges order to block account in HC

Hindustan Times  

Social media company X has contested the Indian government’s directive to block the account of Hindutva Watch, citing insufficient justification, in a submission to the Delhi High Court filed on September 24. The submission was part of X’s affidavit in a petition filed by Hindutva Watch to overturn the blocking order. X also disputed Naik’s assertion that “detailed justification related …

Bombay HC strikes down provisions for setting up FCU to monitor social media
6 months ago

Bombay HC strikes down provisions for setting up FCU to monitor social media

Hindustan Times  

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday struck down provisions for setting up a Fact Checking Unit to monitor content on social media, as the third judge in his referral verdict ruled against the 2023 amendments to the Information Technology Rules. Satirist Kunal Kamra, the Editors Guild of India and the Association of Indian Magazines had filed petitions challenging the …

Pakistan government defends X ban in court, cites compliance with laws
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Pakistan government defends X ban in court, cites compliance with laws

The Hindu  

Pakistan authorities on Monday informed a high court that banning the social media platform X is not against the laws of the country. The Sindh High Court was hearing a case against the ban on the social media platform X, which was blocked on February 17 in the wake of rigging controversy during the Feb 8 elections. "X has not …

X working with Pakistan government to 'understand concerns' over ban
11 months ago

X working with Pakistan government to 'understand concerns' over ban

Hindustan Times  

Social media platform X said Thursday it would work with Pakistan's government "to understand its concerns" after authorities said an ongoing two-month ban was based on security grounds. "We continue to work with the Pakistani Government to understand their concerns," X's Global Government Affairs team posted, in their first comments since the site was disrupted. On the same day, the …

Pakistan High Court orders government to restore X in one week: lawyer
11 months ago

Pakistan High Court orders government to restore X in one week: lawyer

The Hindu  

Coming down heavily on the continuous suspension of social media platform X in Pakistan since February, the Sindh High Court on Wednesday directed the Ministry of Interior to revoke its decision on the suspension within one week, according to a media report. SHC Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, while hearing multiple petitions on the suspension of the social media platform …

IT Rules: Delhi High Court Issues Notice On TV Today's Plea Challenging Rule 3(1)(c) Which Empowers Intermediaries To Block User Accounts
11 months, 2 weeks ago

IT Rules: Delhi High Court Issues Notice On TV Today's Plea Challenging Rule 3(1)(c) Which Empowers Intermediaries To Block User Accounts

Live Law  

The Delhi High Court yesterday issued notice on a plea moved by media organization TV Today Network which owns India Today and Aaj Tak news channels, challenging the constitutional validity of Rule 3 of the Information Technology Rules, 2021.Rule 3 states “an intermediary shall periodically inform its users, at least once. The Delhi High Court yesterday issued notice on a …

X factor: On the X appeal in the Karnataka High Court
1 year, 1 month ago

X factor: On the X appeal in the Karnataka High Court

The Hindu  

That the use of Internet shutdowns and arbitrary curbs on free speech on social media have become a rampant tool for those in power is evident in the manner in which the Bharatiya Janata Party-led State governments of Haryana and Rajasthan and the Union government have dealt with the farmer protests. The Union government, on the other hand, has used …

Musk’s X fails to block California content moderation law
1 year, 2 months ago

Musk’s X fails to block California content moderation law

LA Times  

Elon Musk’s X Corp. lost its effort in court to block a California law that seeks to control toxic posts on social media by requiring companies to disclose their content-moderation polices. In an eight-page ruling Thursday, a federal judge in Sacramento rejected arguments by the company formerly known as Twitter that the measure violates the free-speech rights of social media …

India cracks down on CSAM: Ultimatum for X, YouTube, and Telegram | Here's what it means
1 year, 5 months ago

India cracks down on CSAM: Ultimatum for X, YouTube, and Telegram | Here's what it means

India TV News  

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has recently issued warnings to social media platforms including X, YouTube, and Telegram, instructing them to promptly remove any Child Sexual Abuse Material from their Indian internet services or face consequences. Union Minister of State for Electronics & IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, stated, "We have sent notices to X, YouTube, and Telegram to ensure …

Will pass order in pleas challenging IT Rules on Dec 1: Bombay HC
1 year, 5 months ago

Will pass order in pleas challenging IT Rules on Dec 1: Bombay HC

The Hindu  

The Bombay High Court on September 29 said it will pass the order on pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the amended Information Technology Rules on December 1. A Division Bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by political satirist Kunal Kamra, Editors Guild of India, and the Association of Indian Magazines …

Elon Musk's X a ‘habitual non-compliant platform’, not following orders: Government
1 year, 6 months ago

Elon Musk's X a ‘habitual non-compliant platform’, not following orders: Government

Hindustan Times  

India's government has told a court that Elon Musk's X is a "habitual non-compliant platform" and for years has not followed many orders to remove content, undermining the government's role, according to a legal filing reviewed by Reuters. The new logo of Twitter is seen in this illustration The remarks were contained in an Aug. 24 non-public filing by India's …

Musk's X challenges India court ruling on content blocking orders
1 year, 7 months ago

Musk's X challenges India court ruling on content blocking orders

The Hindu  

Social media platform X has sought to quash an Indian court decision that found it non-compliant with content removal orders, arguing the ruling could embolden the government to block more content. X, formerly known as Twitter, in July 2022 sought to overturn some government orders to remove content from its platform, without specifying which. If X's appeal is rejected, the …

Do the amended IT Rules only apply to social media and not print, asks Bombay HC
1 year, 8 months ago

Do the amended IT Rules only apply to social media and not print, asks Bombay HC

The Hindu  

The Bombay High Court on Thursday while hearing arguments on pleas challenging the constitutional validity of amended IT Rules asked whether the Rules only apply to social media intermediaries and not to print media even if the same content is available on both the platforms. A Division Bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale was hearing a bunch of …

No matter how laudable the new IT Rules are, if the effect is unconstitutional, they must go: Bombay High Court
1 year, 8 months ago

No matter how laudable the new IT Rules are, if the effect is unconstitutional, they must go: Bombay High Court

The Hindu  

The Bombay High Court on Thursday said that no matter how laudable or high the motives are while framing the new Information Technology Rules, if the effect of a rule or law is unconstitutional then it must go. A division bench of justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by political satirist Kunal Kamra, …

Thwarting Twitter: on the Karnataka High Court ruling
1 year, 8 months ago

Thwarting Twitter: on the Karnataka High Court ruling

The Hindu  

It is unfortunate that the petition by Twitter, Inc. challenging the validity of the spate of blocking orders passed by the Union government was rejected by the Karnataka High Court. While success in litigation involving the government’s power to restrict speech and expression on grounds permitted in Article 19 of the Constitution was always expected to be difficult, it is …

Twitter says removed more content in first half of 2022 than in previous six months
1 year, 10 months ago

Twitter says removed more content in first half of 2022 than in previous six months

The Hindu  

Twitter will not be publishing a formal transparency report for the year 2022, the social media platform announced on its blog on April 25. It is not clear if the company has also chosen to stop publishing routine disclosures of copyright and government takedown requests on the Lumen Database — Twitter doesn’t appear to have disclosed any Indian takedown requests …

New IT Rules provide an evidence-based-fact-checking system for fake news, says Centre
1 year, 11 months ago

New IT Rules provide an evidence-based-fact-checking system for fake news, says Centre

The Hindu  

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology termed as “premature” political satirist Kunal Kamra’s plea challenging the constitutional validity of the Information Technology Amendment Rules, 2023 and said the Rules are in “public interest” and provide an evidence-based-fact-checking system for a mechanism to deal with fake or false or misleading information resulting in riots, mob lynching and other heinous crimes. …

Portal opened for complaints against decisions of social media platforms
2 years ago

Portal opened for complaints against decisions of social media platforms

The Hindu  

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on February 28 launched the Grievance Appellate Committee portal under the IT Rules, 2021, allowing people who are dissatisfied with complaints to social media companies on content takedown requests, to be heard by one of three Committees constituted by the government. The Information Technology Rules, 2021 were amended last year to require social …

BREAKING|Karnataka HC Sets Aside Lower Court Order Blocking Twitter Accounts Of Congress & Bharat Jodo Yatra, Subject To Removal Of Infringing Material
2 years, 4 months ago

BREAKING|Karnataka HC Sets Aside Lower Court Order Blocking Twitter Accounts Of Congress & Bharat Jodo Yatra, Subject To Removal Of Infringing Material

Live Law  

The Karnataka High Court today allowed the appeal preferred by Indian National Congress against a civil court order which directed Twitter to block the national party's user account and that of Bharat Jodo. The relief is subject to the party removing material from their handles that offend MRT Music's copyrights.A division bench of Justices G. Narendar and PN Desai remarked,"The …

Major Relief to Cong as Karnataka HC Sets Aside Order to Block INC, Bharat Jodo Yatra Twitter Handles
2 years, 4 months ago

Major Relief to Cong as Karnataka HC Sets Aside Order to Block INC, Bharat Jodo Yatra Twitter Handles

News 18  

In a major relief to Congress, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday set aside a trial court’s order to Twitter to block INC and Bharat Jodo Yatra handles over the alleged unauthorised use of music from the Kannada film ‘KGF Chapter-2’, calling it “punitive action.” A division bench of the High Court of Karnataka gave the order in reference to …

New IT rules to put more obligations on social media platforms to act against unlawful content, misinformation: Rajeev Chandrasekhar
2 years, 4 months ago

New IT rules to put more obligations on social media platforms to act against unlawful content, misinformation: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

The Hindu  

IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on October 29 said the latest amendment of IT rules will put more definite due diligence obligations on social media companies to make efforts that no unlawful content or misinformation is posted on their platforms. The government on October 28 notified rules under which it will set up appellate panels to redress grievances that users may …

New Delhi gives itself power over social media content moderation
2 years, 4 months ago

New Delhi gives itself power over social media content moderation

Al Jazeera  

The Indian government has announced changes to its information technology rules that will apply to social media companies, a move likely to be seen as reining in big tech firms. Under the amended rules, which were announced on Friday, a government panel will be formed to hear complaints from users about content moderation decisions by social media platforms. This effectively …

Twitter claims 50-60% tweets directed by Centre to be removed were harmless
2 years, 5 months ago

Twitter claims 50-60% tweets directed by Centre to be removed were harmless

Live Mint  

Twitter has informed the High Court of Karnataka that 50-60 % of tweets asked by govt to be blocked are "innocuous". Contending the Central government's directive, senior advocate Arvind Datar, appearing for Twitter stated that the social media platform was following the rules laid out in the Information Technology Act. Further he informed that the company is getting affected with …

Karnataka High Court notice to Centre on Twitter petition challenging content and account ‘blocking orders’
2 years, 7 months ago

Karnataka High Court notice to Centre on Twitter petition challenging content and account ‘blocking orders’

The Hindu  

The High Court of Karnataka ordered issue of notice to the Central Government on a petition filed by micro-blogging platform Twitter challenging the legality of a series of ‘blocking orders’ issued by authorities under provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000, either to block Twitter accounts or identified content of the accounts. The designated officer of the Ministry of Electronics …

Twitter Says Its Business Will Close If Accounts Are Blocked Without Reasons; Karnataka High Court Issues Notice To Centre
2 years, 7 months ago

Twitter Says Its Business Will Close If Accounts Are Blocked Without Reasons; Karnataka High Court Issues Notice To Centre

Live Law  

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Central Government on a writ petition filed by Twitter Inc challenging the blocking orders issued by the Centre.A single bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit posted the matter to August 25. The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Central Government on a writ petition filed by Twitter …

Why has Twitter gone to court against the Indian government? | In Focus podcast
2 years, 8 months ago

Why has Twitter gone to court against the Indian government? | In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

Twitter has moved the Karnataka High Court challenging multiple content-blocking orders from the government of India. Twitter’s petition has sought the quashing of as many as 39 blocking orders, issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The petition also argues that the blocking orders are unconstitutional, and violate the principles of online speech and intermediary liability. Guest: Alok …

Rightful challenge: The Hindu Editorial on Twitter, IT rules and free speech
2 years, 8 months ago

Rightful challenge: The Hindu Editorial on Twitter, IT rules and free speech

The Hindu  

By moving the Karnataka High Court challenging several blocking orders from the Union government on content posted on its website, Twitter, Inc. has finally decided to take the bull by the horns on the issue of freedom of expression on the online platform. A cynical view will regard this as action done under duress — between February 2, 2021 and …

Courts must safeguard common spaces online
2 years, 8 months ago

Courts must safeguard common spaces online

Live Mint  

It’s Twitter versus the government again. Last week, the microblog platform moved the Karnataka high court, asking it to overturn government orders to block tweets and handles. Twitter has argued that the Centre’s demands are arbitrary and aimed at speech protected by Indian law; and complying with them would violate the right to free speech of its users. Under the …

Twitter’s petition on Section 69A of the IT Act
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter’s petition on Section 69A of the IT Act

The Hindu  

July 10, 2022 10:58 pm | Updated July 12, 2022 11:05 am IST The story so far: On July 5, microblogging platform Twitter moved the Karnataka High Court seeking to set aside multiple blocking orders of the Central government as well as to alter their directions to identify specific violative content than imposing a blanket ban on individual accounts. According …

Twitter case underlines web moderation issues
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter case underlines web moderation issues

Hindustan Times  

In a rare development, social media company Twitter has challenged various central government orders directing the take-down of politically sensitive content on its platform before the Karnataka High Court. It has argued that the blocking orders substantively violated the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech and expression; procedurally violated provisions of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act and the …

Twitter seeks judicial review of Indian orders to take down content: Report
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter seeks judicial review of Indian orders to take down content: Report

Live Mint  

Twitter asked an Indian court on Tuesday to overturn some government orders to remove content from the social media platform, a source familiar with the matter said, in a legal challenge which alleges abuse of power by officials. Twitter has been asked by Indian authorities over the past year to act on content including accounts supportive of an independent Sikh …

Twitter to India court: Overturn gov’t orders to remove content
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter to India court: Overturn gov’t orders to remove content

Al Jazeera  

The US company’s attempt to get a judicial review of some Indian gov’t orders is part of a growing confrontation. Twitter has asked an Indian court to overturn some government orders to remove content from the social media platform, a source familiar with the matter said, in a legal challenge which alleges abuse of power by officials. Twitter has been …

Twitter vs Govt latest spat: All you need to know
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter vs Govt latest spat: All you need to know

Live Mint  

Twitter on Tuesday moved the Karnataka High Court, challenging the government's orders to remove content from the social media platform under the new IT rules, saying it is an abuse of power by officials. Here are the latest updates in this big story: - In a petition in the Karnataka HC, the social media platform said the Central Government has …

Several Blocking Orders Of MeiTY Arbitrary & Disproportionate, Some Pertain To Political Content : Twitter Inc Tells Karnataka High Court
2 years, 8 months ago

Several Blocking Orders Of MeiTY Arbitrary & Disproportionate, Some Pertain To Political Content : Twitter Inc Tells Karnataka High Court

Live Law  

The petition filed by Twitter Inc says that several blocking orders issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act are "procedurally and substantially deficient of the provision" and "demonstrate excessive use of powers and are disproportionate". The social media giant in its plea said that due to the seriousness of these …

Twitter moves Karnataka High Court over government’s content blocking orders
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter moves Karnataka High Court over government’s content blocking orders

The Hindu  

Alleging “disproportionate use of power”, Twitter has moved the Karnataka High Court, seeking review and relief from “overbroad and arbitrary” content blocking orders from the government. A source privy to the development told The Hindu that due to the seriousness of these threats, the US-headquartered microblogging platform has chosen to challenge several of the ‘Blocking Orders’ issued under Section 69A …

Twitter moves Karnataka HC against legality of content takedown orders
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter moves Karnataka HC against legality of content takedown orders

Hindustan Times  

Twitter has moved the Karnataka high court against the legality of the government’s content takedown orders. “In June, MeitY sent Twitter a letter detailing serious consequences of non-compliance, including, but not limited to, criminal proceedings against Twitter’s Chief Compliance Officer, and granted it last opportunity to comply with a series of blocking orders.issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology …

Twitter legally challenges content take down orders by Indian government
2 years, 8 months ago

Twitter legally challenges content take down orders by Indian government

Live Mint  

Alleging abuse of power by Indian officials, Twitter has moved the Karnataka High Court against the government's orders, according to a Reuters report. Ministry of Electronics and IT had given the social media platform time till 4 July to comply with its orders and failing to do, Twitter may lose intermediary status, which means it will be liable for all …

Content moderation: A fine balancing act
2 years, 9 months ago

Content moderation: A fine balancing act

Hindustan Times  

The government appears to be pushing through with a plan to amend rules for digital intermediaries to virtually give itself the final say on their content moderation decisions. The proposal entails forming a grievance redressal committee appointed by the government to hear appeals by users who disagree with the company taking down their posts or requests to take down someone …

India is considering a panel to rule on social media takedowns
2 years, 9 months ago

India is considering a panel to rule on social media takedowns

Al Jazeera  

Digital rights activists warn the move will increase direct gov’t control over social media platforms in India. Apar Gupta, executive director of the Internet Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit that advocates for digital rights, tweeted that should the move go through, it will “increase” direct government control over social media platforms. Rather than curing defects highlighted by Courts, they increase direct …

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