US report says Indian govt’s social media takedown orders politically motivated
Washington: A United States government report has raised concerns over the BJP-led Indian government’s digital regulations, stating that content takedown orders issued to American social media companies appear to be “politically motivated”.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the findings are part of the 2026 National Trade Estimate released by the Office of the United States Trade Representative and submitted to US President Donald Trump and the US Congress on March 31.
The report identifies India’s content regulation framework, frequent internet shutdowns and data protection rules as potential non-tariff trade barriers affecting US companies. It highlights challenges faced by US firms under India’s Information Technology Rules 2021, citing “impractical compliance deadlines and takedown protocols”.
It noted that since 2021, US companies have received an increasing number of requests to remove content and user accounts “related to issues that appear politically motivated”. The criticism comes amid a recent rise in takedown orders targeting social media platforms such as X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, including content by journalists, satirists and political commentators.
The report also flagged India’s frequent use of internet shutdowns, saying they restrict access to information, disrupt services and affect business operations. “These shutdowns undermine a free and open Internet and impede trade in the digital economy,” it said, noting that India has consistently recorded among the highest number of internet shutdowns globally.
Additionally, the US report also raised issues with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection framework, warning that it could impose “burdensome requirements” on companies and allow the government to restrict cross border data flows. It cautioned that such rules may affect operations of foreign firms, including US credit bureaus, by limiting access to financial data.
