Overview

• X Corp is contesting the government’s use of Section 79 and Rule 3(1)(d) for content takedowns and is seeking judicial safeguards under Section 69A in ongoing hearings
• The Centre argued that intermediaries cannot invoke Article 19 free speech rights, calling X merely a “notice board” and reserving protections for individual users
• Tushar Mehta warned that refusing to integrate with the Sahyog Portal will trigger loss of statutory safe harbour immunity and expose X to prosecution under the IT Act
• Government submissions highlighted that algorithmic curation systems amplify content at scale and require oversight distinct from traditional editorial processes
• The court’s decision will shape the future balance between intermediary liability and digital speech freedoms in India