Archive · 27 May 2025
Indian X Accounts Restored After Censorship, Preempting Court
Imagine the government blocked many accounts on Twitter in India, like a digital blackout.
Some were news sources, and others were just people.
They were blocked under a law.
People complained and were going to court.
Surprisingly, the government restored many accounts before the court case, as if they changed their mind.
The law center is still challenging the law in court, saying it's not fair to block accounts without telling people first.
Some other news outlets were also quickly restored.
The situation concerns freedom of expression.
Multiple Indian accounts on X were initially withheld by the government.
The blocking orders were issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Many accounts were restored before scheduled court hearings challenging the censorship.
The Software Freedom Law Centre, India (SFLC) filed a PIL challenging the blocking rules.
Several international and Indian news outlets had their access restored.
- Who
- Indian accounts, including news outlets, content creators, and international news sources.
- What
- Multiple accounts on X (formerly Twitter) were withheld and later restored in India.
- When
- Accounts were withheld starting from May 7, 2025, with restorations occurring before court hearings.
- Where
- India
- Why
- The accounts were withheld under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Free Speech Advocates
Government
Censorship Justification
Free Speech Advocates
Widespread blocking without notice is unjust and ineffective.
Government
Government has the right to censor content.
- IT Act Section
- 69A
- Accounts Affected
- 8,000
- Restored Accounts
- Several
- Legal Challenge
- Filed by SFLC