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Government Expands Online Content Control
India's government is strengthening its oversight of online content. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) now has expanded authority to order content takedowns from social media platforms through a newly established portal. This centralized system allows a wider range of government officials, including police, to issue removal orders, a power previously held by fewer ministries.
Tech Firms Challenge New Powers in Court
Major internet companies are pushing back against India's growing censorship measures. X Corp. has filed a lawsuit against the government's Sahyog Portal, arguing it creates a parallel system for content blocking. The company contends this bypasses the strict legal safeguards required by Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and undermines the principles of online free speech upheld by a 2015 Supreme Court ruling.
Court Upholds Government Authority, Appeal Planned
Despite legal challenges, the Karnataka High Court largely supported the government's position in September 2025. The court stated platforms must take responsibility for content moderation, particularly concerning offenses against women. X Corp. has announced plans to appeal this decision. Meanwhile, amendments made in 2021 to the IT Act's intermediary guidelines have already reduced the legal "safe harbor" protections for online platforms under Section 79.
Data Privacy and Press Freedom Concerns Mount
The regulatory environment is further complicated by ongoing legal challenges to India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) of 2023, which are being heard by the Supreme Court. Critics argue that the DPDP Act, coupled with recent amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, could potentially suppress press freedom. These changes might require journalists to seek prior government permission before publishing sensitive information, which opponents fear could reduce accountability.
Scale of Takedown Requests and Transparency Issues
The volume of content removal requests is significant. X Corp. reported receiving approximately 29,118 requests in the first half of 2025, averaging about 160 per day. The Sahyog Portal is designed to facilitate this process, connecting various state and central government agencies, as well as companies. However, a lack of public data on these takedown requests and limited responses to Right to Information queries contribute to concerns about transparency surrounding these expanded government powers.