X tells Centre orders to block 12 accounts are ‘excessive and disproportionate’

Social media platform X has told the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology that recent orders to block profiles “excessively and disproportionately restrict the account holder’s rights”, The Indian Express reported on Wednesday.

It added that this is concerning “as the account holder will be unable to use X in India permanently”.

The remarks were made in an objection letter written by X to the ministry on March 19, urging it to review an order directing the platform to block 12 accounts, including a parody account “Dr Nimo Yadav”, Live Law reported.

X said that the blocking order issued on March 18 failed to comply with Section 69A of the 2000 Information Technology Act. The provision allows the government to send removal orders to social media platforms if the content is deemed a threat to national security, sovereignty or public order.

The objection letter was disclosed in an affidavit filed by X in the Delhi High Court on March 30.

It is part of a petition filed on March 24 by Prateek Sharma, who operates the “Dr Nimo Yadav” account, against the blocking order, Live Law reported. Sharma sought directions to the ministry and X to stop withholding the account.

The petition also asked for directions to ensure that any censorship on social media is carried out in line with the IT Act...

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