On Monday, social media platform X expressed “deep concern” over an Indian court’s decision dismissing its challenge to New Delhi’s content removal policies, stating it plans to appeal to protect freedom of expression in India.
Elon Musk’s X has been in conflict with Indian authorities for several months, criticizing the new content removal system as censorship. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government contends that the system addresses the spread of illegal content and ensures online accountability.
X argued on Monday that the new mechanism “lacks legal basis,” violates the country’s Supreme Court rulings, and infringes upon Indians’ fundamental rights to free speech and expression.
Musk, known for his staunch free-speech stance, has faced off with various governments over compliance and content removal demands. Yet, the lawsuit in India challenges the entire foundation of stricter internet regulation in the world’s most populous country.
Since 2023, Modi’s government has intensified efforts to regulate the internet, enabling more officials to issue takedown orders directly to tech companies through a new website launched in October.
Recently, an Indian judge stated that every platform operating in India “must acknowledge that liberty comes with responsibility.”
In its statement, X said: “X respects and complies with Indian law… We respectfully disagree with the notion that we cannot voice these concerns due to our foreign incorporation…”
