Social network X announced on Monday that it will appeal a recent Indian court ruling which upheld a government-run content takedown system. The company described the operation as “secretive” and claimed it “has no basis in the law.”
The platform stated that last week’s decision by the Karnataka High Court allows police to issue what it calls “arbitrary” content removal orders through an online portal named Sahyog. This ruling was in response to a petition filed by X in March that challenged the government and the system, which the company had described in court as a “censorship portal.”
India launched Sahyog, which means “assistance” in Hindi, in late 2024. The system was designed to automate content takedowns and allow government agencies to directly order social media platforms to remove content they consider unlawful. While other companies like Google, Meta, and ShareChat have joined the portal, X has so far refused to comply.
X’s Global Government Affairs account stated that the portal circumvents Section 69A of the IT Act, violates Supreme Court rulings, and infringes upon Indian citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression. Section 69A of the IT Act outlines the procedures the federal government must follow to block content online, including safeguards like written orders and judicial review.
The company argued that Sahyog enables officers to order content removal based solely on allegations of illegality, without judicial review or due process for the speakers. It also claimed the system threatens platforms with criminal liability for non-compliance.
In its ruling, the court rejected X’s free speech argument, stating that the social media platform, as a foreign company, does not have the constitutional right to freedom of expression under Indian law.
X responded by saying it respectfully disagrees with the view that it has no right to raise these concerns due to its incorporation abroad. The company stated that it contributes significantly to public discourse in India and that the voice of its users is at the heart of its platform. It confirmed it will appeal the order to defend free expression.
This legal fight with the Indian government occurs as Elon Musk works to expand his business footprint in the country. The billionaire recently launched Tesla in India and secured final regulatory approval to roll out his satellite internet service, Starlink.