Post by : Raman

On September 24, 2025, the Karnataka High Court dismissed a petition filed by X Corp (formerly Twitter), challenging the Indian government's authority to issue content takedown orders through the Sahyog portal. The court upheld the government's power to regulate online content, emphasizing the necessity of such regulation to maintain digital safety and accountability.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna, delivering the verdict, stated that social media platforms must be regulated to prevent the spread of unlawful content and protect citizens' rights. The court noted that communication and information dissemination have always been subject to regulation, from traditional postal systems to modern digital platforms.

X Corp had argued that the Sahyog portal, established under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, lacked statutory backing and circumvented due process safeguards. The company contended that content blocking orders should only be issued following the procedures outlined in Section 69A of the Act, which includes judicial oversight.

However, the court rejected these arguments, stating that the Sahyog portal is an instrument of public good, conceived under the authority of the IT Act and the 2021 Rules. It emphasized that the portal facilitates cooperation between the government and intermediaries to combat cybercrime effectively.

The ruling reinforces the Indian government's regulatory framework for online platforms, asserting that companies operating in India must comply with national laws and regulations. This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing discourse on digital governance and the balance between free speech and accountability in the online space.

Karnataka High Court, X Corp, Sahyog portal, content takedown, Information Technology Act, social media regulation