Concerns Raised by Platform X Following Indian Government Order to Block Accounts
Platform X has voiced its “deep concern” after receiving an order from the Indian government last week to ban over 2,300 accounts, including two associated with Reuters. The Indian authorities have denied their involvement in this action, and many of the suspended accounts were reactivated within hours.
In a statement shared on its platform, X mentioned that on July 3, 2025, the Indian government instructed them to block 2,355 accounts within the country, including those linked to international media outlets.
The platform, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, highlighted that the Indian Ministry of Electronics demanded immediate action within an hour, without providing any justification, and requested that the accounts remain suspended until further notice. A spokesperson for the ministry denied issuing such an order, emphasizing that there is “no intention to ban a leading international media outlet.”
Additionally, X (formerly known as Twitter) indicated that failing to comply with the Indian government’s directives could expose the platform to “criminal liability.”
The platform, which condemns “censorship” of journalism in India, noted that after public outcry, the government requested X to lift the bans on the accounts @Reuters and @ReutersWorld. According to human rights organizations, freedom of expression and press is increasingly under threat in India since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014.
New Delhi routinely enforces widespread internet shutdowns during times of unrest. In April, the Indian authorities launched a major crackdown on social media, banning over ten Pakistani YouTube channels accused of broadcasting “provocative” content following an incident in Kashmir.
Many of these channels have since been reconnected to the network. New Delhi justifies its internet and social media bans as necessary measures to combat misinformation.
Platform X stated that it is “exploring all available legal options,” but noted that “its actions are constrained by Indian law.”