X has raised concerns about the Indian government’s handling of press censorship after being ordered to remove 2,355 accounts on July 3, including two Reuters handles. The social media platform claims the decision was made under Section 69A of India’s Information Technology Act, which grants the government authority to block access to information deemed potentially harmful. X warned that non-compliance with such orders could result in criminal liability.
The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology allegedly demanded immediate compliance within an hour without providing any justification for the requests. This has sparked public outcry, leading the government to request X to unblock the Reuters accounts. The situation highlights the ongoing debate over freedom of speech and government oversight in matters of national security and public interest.