Elon Musk’s X Complies with India’s Order, But Disagrees on Suspension of Farmers’ Protest Accounts
X, under the leadership of Elon Musk, acknowledges its adherence to the Centre’s directives regarding the suspension of accounts associated with the farmers’ protests, while expressing disagreement with the orders.
Several days following the ministry of electronics and information technology’s issuance of emergency blocking orders targeting numerous social media accounts and posts connected to the farmers’ protests, Elon Musk’s social media platform X (previously known as Twitter) announced on Thursday its intention to restrict certain accounts and posts in accordance with the executive orders mandated by the Indian government.
However, the company, which is owned by Elon Musk, voiced its dissent regarding the directives and emphasized its dedication to upholding freedom of speech.
Via its Global Government Affairs account, X stated, “Executive orders from the Indian government mandate that X take action on particular accounts and posts, with potential consequences including substantial fines and imprisonment.”
“We will comply with the orders by withholding these accounts and posts solely within India; nonetheless, we hold a differing stance on these actions and uphold the belief that freedom of expression should encompass these posts,” the statement continued.
Backing its endorsement of freedom of speech, the Global Government Affairs stated that a writ appeal contesting the Indian government’s orders to suspend accounts is presently pending.
“In alignment with our stance, a writ appeal contesting the Indian government’s blocking orders is still awaiting resolution. Furthermore, we have duly notified the affected users of these measures in accordance with our policies,” the statement conveyed.
X also emphasized, “As a result of legal constraints, we are unable to disclose the executive orders; however, we assert that their public release is crucial for transparency. The absence of such disclosure may foster a lack of accountability and arbitrary decision-making.”
Centre’s orders against X accounts on farmers protest
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) concluded its directives regarding the suspension of 177 accounts associated with the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march conducted by farmers around the national capital, as first reported by Hindustan Times. Subsequently, the Center transmitted these orders to Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and Snap, requesting them to restrict these accounts to uphold public order.
On February 14, these urgent directives were issued by MeitY at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs, just a day following the commencement of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. The companies were instructed that the suspension of these accounts is necessary until February 19 to preserve law and order, after which they may be reinstated.
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