Elon Musk's X Challenges Indian Content Blocking

Elon Musk's social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government, contesting the use of Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act. X argues that the government is misusing this section to bypass the structured legal processes established under Section 69A, as upheld by the Supreme Court in the 2015 Shreya Singhal case, allowing for arbitrary censorship. The lawsuit claims that the Sahyog Portal, used to enforce takedown orders, lacks transparency and legal safeguards, creating an unconstitutional content-blocking system. X is seeking court protection from government actions and punitive measures related to its refusal to join the portal. The case could set a precedent for digital content regulation and free speech in India, as X contends these practices undermine user trust and the platform's operations. The Karnataka High Court has allowed X to appeal if adverse actions are taken against it, with the next hearing scheduled for March 27.