Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, May 9: Social media giant X, formerly known as Twitter and helmed by billionaire Elon Musk, has confirmed that it will comply with a directive issued by the Government of India, ordering the platform to block over 8,000 accounts within the country. The move comes in the wake of heightened India-Pakistan tensions and a surge in misinformation following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
In an official statement issued on Thursday, the platform revealed that the Indian government cited alleged violations of local laws as the basis for the directive. While X did not disclose the identities of the accounts affected, it acknowledged that the list includes "international news organisations and prominent X users."
“X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring us to block more than 8,000 accounts within India, or face substantial legal consequences including heavy fines and the imprisonment of our local employees,” the platform stated.
While affirming its intent to comply with the order, X maintained that many of the targeted accounts lacked any accompanying evidence or justification from the government. “For a significant number of these accounts, no specific details of violations were provided,” the statement noted.
Describing the decision as "not easy," X said it has begun the process of withholding access to the specified accounts within Indian jurisdiction and has notified the affected users. “We disagree with the government's broad-based demands to block entire accounts, which equate to censoring both existing and future content. This is in conflict with the fundamental right to free speech,” the statement added.
The company stressed the critical role the platform plays in ensuring public access to timely information and transparency. “We believe the public has a right to know the basis of such executive orders, but due to current legal constraints, we are unable to publish them,” it said.
Musk's company also announced that it is actively exploring all legal avenues to challenge the government’s directive and urged impacted users to seek relief through appropriate judicial channels.
The development has ignited fresh debate over digital freedom, censorship, and the role of global tech platforms in upholding constitutional rights while operating within the frameworks of sovereign laws.