NEW DEHLI: Elon Musk’s X has sued India, accusing the IT Ministry of unlawfully expanding its censorship powers.
The lawsuit claims the government now allows “countless” officials to remove online content without proper oversight.
This intensifies a legal fight between X and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration over content takedown orders.
X argues that India’s Home Ministry has created a system bypassing strict legal safeguards on content removal.
The court case is significant as Musk prepares to expand Starlink and Tesla operations in India.
Content Removal
X’s lawsuit, filed on March 5, states that India’s IT Ministry is misusing a government platform for censorship.
The Home Ministry’s system reportedly enables different departments to issue blocking orders without proper legal checks.
Social media firms, including X, are pressured to join this platform, making content removal easier.
X says these actions violate India’s legal framework, which limits censorship to cases like threats to sovereignty.
The IT Ministry declined to comment, redirecting media inquiries to the Home Affairs Ministry.
Censorship Concerns
X asserts that the system enables “unrestrained censorship” by allowing excessive government control over online information.
It seeks legal action to quash the directive and prevent further misuse of censorship laws.
X’s court documents remain confidential, but reports confirm the lawsuit’s filing.
The Karnataka High Court briefly heard the case, but no verdict was reached.
Further hearings are scheduled for March 27, making this a crucial legal battle.
Past Disputes
In 2021, X, then Twitter, clashed with the Indian government over content blocking related to farmers’ protests.
Officials criticized X for refusing to comply, leading to a tense standoff between the company and New Delhi.
Eventually, X followed orders but later challenged the directive in court, keeping the case ongoing.
The latest lawsuit signals X’s continued pushback against increasing government censorship in India.
India remains a crucial market for Musk’s businesses, despite regulatory tensions.
Future Challenges
The case could impact how social media firms operate under India’s evolving digital laws.
Musk’s ambitions in India, including Starlink’s expansion, may face challenges due to this legal dispute.
India’s government has increased scrutiny on global tech firms, demanding compliance with local content regulations.
How the court rules could set a precedent for digital freedom and online governance in India.
As X fights the case, global attention remains on India’s approach to digital censorship.
