Indian Court Upholds Content Removal Rules Against X

• A Karnataka court rejected X’s challenge to India’s takedown system, affirming platforms must comply with national regulations.

India’s high court in Karnataka has dismissed a legal challenge brought by Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, against the country’s expanded content removal framework. The court ruled that X must adhere to Indian laws and emphasized that operating within the jurisdiction requires balancing freedom with responsibility. Judge M Nagaprasanna stated that liberty is “yoked with responsibility,” rejecting X’s claim that the system amounted to unconstitutional censorship. The decision follows months of legal exchanges and reflects growing tension between global tech firms and national governments over content regulation.

X’s lawsuit targeted a 2023 policy shift by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, which broadened the authority of government officials to issue takedown orders. These orders can now be submitted directly to platforms via a centralized government portal launched in October. Musk, a vocal advocate of free speech, has previously clashed with regulators in multiple countries, but this case challenged the foundation of India’s internet governance model. The platform argued that the new system undermines constitutional protections and opens the door to arbitrary censorship.

Modi’s government defended the policy as a necessary response to the spread of unlawful and harmful content online. Officials claimed the system enhances accountability and cited support from other tech firms, including Meta and Google. The government also accused X of enabling the circulation of hate speech and misinformation, which it said had contributed to social unrest. In court filings, it argued that the platform’s influence demands stricter oversight to maintain public order and digital integrity.