XFiles Lawsuit Against Indian Government Over Alleged Censorship Practices

The social media platform challenges the use of Section 79(3)(b) and a government-run portal, claiming violations of legal safeguards and free expression rights.

X, formerly Twitter, filed a lawsuit in the Karnataka High Court, alleging misuse of Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act to create an unlawful content-blocking system.
The platform accuses the Indian government of bypassing judicial safeguards established under Section 69A and the Supreme Court’s 2015 Shreya Singhal ruling.
X opposes the government’s Sahyog portal, arguing it facilitates arbitrary censorship by enabling government agencies and local authorities to issue takedown orders without proper legal review.
The Karnataka High Court has allowed X to seek judicial intervention if punitive action is taken against the company for refusing to join the Sahyog portal.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 27, 2025, as the case highlights broader tensions surrounding digital rights, censorship, and U.S.-India relations.