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National News: The Karnataka High Court has delivered a strong message to social media platform X. The company had filed a petition against the central government’s takedown orders, but the court dismissed it. The judgment makes it clear that no matter how big a platform is, if it wishes to run its operations in India, it must follow the country’s rules. The court underlined that freedom cannot mean ignoring legal frameworks. This ruling now stands as a warning to other platforms as well.
X argued that the government acted beyond its powers under the Information Technology Act, 2000. The company said that Section 79(3)(b) did not allow blocking orders, and only Section 69A along with 2009 rules could be applied. X claimed that the government had bypassed procedure and that such actions weakened the trust of users. However, the court did not agree with these arguments and dismissed them as unfounded.
During the hearings, X also sought protection from possible punitive actions. It asked the court to stop ministries from forcing it to comply with directives under Section 79(3)(b). X further objected to being pushed into the “Sahyog” portal, a government initiative to track compliance. But the court was not convinced and refused to give any special protection. The bench reminded that national security and public order must come before corporate objections.
While pronouncing its order, Justice M. Nagaprasanna stressed that communication has always been regulated by governments. The court said information and its movement cannot remain free from oversight. It pointed out that from print to television, every medium has always been bound by law. According to the court, social media cannot be an exception in India where accountability is necessary. This judgment has reaffirmed the state’s right to regulate digital space.
The petition was not decided overnight. It had been heard for several months, and all arguments closed on July 29. The court then reserved its judgment before finally giving this decision. Legal experts say this ruling was expected, as Indian courts rarely challenge the government’s right to regulate digital platforms. The decision now puts more pressure on X to align with Indian policies and orders quickly.
This order is not just about X but about every platform that operates in India. Companies like Meta, Google, and others will see this ruling as a clear reminder. They must follow Indian law without seeking exceptions. If platforms fail to comply, they risk legal action and even bans. The message is simple: India welcomes business, but not at the cost of law and order.
The big question now is how X will respond. The company has already faced penalties in the past for non-compliance. With this ruling, its space to resist government directives has shrunk further. Observers believe X will eventually have to fall in line to continue its business. The case has also sparked debates about balancing free speech and regulation, but the court has made India’s stance clear—law comes first.
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