Elon Musk-owned social media platform X sued the Indian government, accusing the country’s IT ministry of illegally expanding its powers to remove online content, Reuters Report Thursday.
X has long been removing or blocking content from the country in government orders, e.g. During the farmers’ protest last year. Although it eventually complies with these execution orders, citing the risk of substantial fines, it does present legal challenges. Now, this further strengthens opposition to the review of new litigation.
According to court filing No. X filed earlier this month, the company accused the Indian government of creating an illegal mechanism by which “numerous” public officials can execute content or block orders through websites that social media companies should regularly check.
Per Reuters, X’s lawsuit claims that the mechanism fails to comply with Indian legal safeguards, requiring “this kind of order is issued in cases such as harm to sovereignty or public order, and…strict oversight of senior officials”.
X claims the website created a “unpermitted parallel mechanism” that led to “Indie Information Unlimited Censorship”, according to a document report by the News Agency. It said the company wants to use legal routes to revoke the directive.
Reuters also reported that a brief hearing on the case was held earlier this month, but no ruling has been made. A hearing is expected next week at the Southern Karnataka High Court.
