Elon Musk’s X sues India over alleged expansion of censorship powers

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Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has taken legal action against the Indian government, claiming it is unfairly increasing its power to control online content. The case, filed on March 5, 2025, argues that the Ministry of Information Technology (MeitY) has created a new system that allows it to remove content without following the usual legal steps that protect free speech.

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The case comes at an important time, as Musk plans to bring two of his big companies, Starlink and Tesla, to India. This legal fight could make it harder for him to do business in the country.

X says that the Ministry of Home Affairs started a website last year that lets different government offices order content removal. The platform claims this site allows lower-level officials to block posts without going through the proper legal process. X argues that this system avoids the regular legal checks, giving the government too much power over online speech.

The lawsuit says this new system makes it easy for the government to censor content without limits. X believes this goes against India’s free speech laws. The platform wants the court to stop the government from using this website and declare it illegal.

This is not the first time X has clashed with the Indian government. In 2021, X refused to block tweets about the farmers’ protests against new farming laws. The company later gave in after facing heavy pressure from Indian authorities. However, the legal disagreement over the government’s power continued.

Now, X is pushing back again. The platform says the government should only be able to remove content in cases of national security, public order, or serious threats, with strict monitoring by senior officials. X argues that the new system allows the government to bypass these rules, giving it too much freedom to control speech.

The legal fight comes as Musk is trying to expand his business in India. His satellite internet company, Starlink, aims to provide internet to remote areas, while Tesla plans to set up car factories in the country. Musk has shown a strong interest in the Indian market, hoping to launch both companies soon.

However, this legal battle could slow down his business plans. Some experts say the government might make it harder for Musk to get permits and licenses for Starlink and Tesla because of the dispute.

The Karnataka High Court has started hearing the case but has not made a final decision. The next hearing is scheduled for March 27, 2025. Legal experts say the case could set an important example for how social media platforms are treated in India. It may also affect how companies deal with content removal requests from the government in the future.

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