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X and India Dispute Government’s July 3 Order to Block Reuters and Other Accounts

Conflicting statements underscore concerns about transparency in urgent digital takedowns

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Illustration of people looking at their devices with a screenshot of X’s ‘account withheld’ notice.
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Overview

  • X says New Delhi demanded it block 2,355 accounts under Section 69A within an hour on July 3, warning of criminal liability for non-compliance.
  • The platform reports it reinstated @Reuters and @ReutersWorld handles after public backlash and a later unblocking request by the government.
  • India’s electronics ministry has denied issuing any fresh blocking order on July 3 and accused X of delaying restorations by exploiting procedural technicalities.
  • Temporary withholds affected other global outlets too, including @TRTWorld and @GlobalTimesNews, all of which have since been restored in India.
  • The episode has reignited debate over fairness and openness in India’s content-takedown regime as X pursues legal challenges against the Sahyog portal and automated removal rules.