India directed X to block over 2,300 accounts including Reuters
Washington: Elon Musk-owned social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has revealed that the Indian government directed it to block over 2,300 accounts, including those belonging to the global news agency Reuters.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a post from its Global Government Affairs handle, X stated that on July 3, 2025, it received an official directive from the Indian government to block 2,355 accounts under Section 69A of India’s Information Technology Act. The list included internationally recognized news handles such as Reuters and ReutersWorld.
X said that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had issued the order with a demand for immediate compliance, within one hour, without offering any explanation or justification. The platform was warned that failure to comply would risk criminal liability. It was also instructed to keep the accounts blocked until further notice.
The decision triggered widespread criticism from press freedom advocates, civil society, and global media watchdogs. Following public backlash, the Indian government asked X to restore access to the Reuters accounts.
Expressing alarm, X said, “We are deeply concerned about ongoing press censorship in India due to these blocking orders. X is exploring all legal options available.” However, it noted the legal limitations it faces. “Unlike users located in India, X is restricted by Indian law in its ability to bring legal challenges against these executive orders. We urge affected users to pursue legal remedies through the courts,” the statement read.
The incident has once again raised serious questions about media freedom and government overreach in India, particularly under laws that allow for opaque and arbitrary censorship.
