'We disagree, but...': X suspends over 8,000 accounts in India in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor

Social media platform X has suspended over 8,000 accounts in India following orders from the Union government. The move comes amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack. 

 

Announcing the decision in a post on X, it said, "X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees. The orders include demands to block access in India to accounts belonging to international news organizations and prominent X users. In most cases, the Indian government has not specified which posts from an account have violated India's local laws."

 

X said it has withheld these accounts in India alone to comply with the orders. Stressing it disagrees with government's orders, it said, "Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech. This is not an easy decision, however, keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians’ ability to access information."

 

The platform added that they are unable to share the orders in public domain due to legal restrictions and are exploring all legal remedies available.

 

The Centre's latest action comes as India thwarted Pakistan's bid to attack Indian military establishments in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday night. India is also taking down a misinformation campaign related to Pakistan's military actions in India online. India on Thursday ordered streaming platforms to cease airing content from Pakistan. “In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect,” Union boradcasting ministry said in an order.

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