Reuters' X Account Withheld in India Following Legal Demand
The official X account of the international news agency Reuters has been blocked in India. Users attempting to access the @Reuters handle are met with a notice stating it has been withheld "in response to a legal demand." Neither the Indian government nor X has provided a reason for the block, which appears to be region-specific. The move raises significant concerns about press freedom and government censorship in the country, impacting a major global news source with over 2,600 journalists worldwide.
Unpacked:
The Indian government can issue blocking orders under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act and related rules, requiring social media platforms to remove or restrict access to content. The government is not legally required to notify affected account holders—only the platform—making the process opaque and difficult to challenge directly.
Yes, the Indian government has previously blocked accounts and content from a range of sources, especially during periods of protest or political unrest. For example, during the 2024 North India farmers’ protests, several news outlets and activists faced content takedowns and account suspensions without clear notification or explanation.
Advocates argue that the lack of transparency and legal recourse in content blocking undermines free speech and press freedom. The opacity of the process prevents affected parties from understanding or challenging the government’s reasons, thus threatening the flow of information and democratic accountability.
India’s digital censorship strategy blends democratic and authoritarian practices. Like the US and EU, India holds platforms responsible for objectionable content, but its laws also give authorities broad discretionary powers to block content. This approach is seen as more restrictive and opaque than in many established democracies.