X to Appeal Karnataka High Court Order on Govt Takedown Notices

Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has announced plans to appeal against a recent Karnataka High Court order directing compliance with government takedown directives. The company termed the ruling “deeply concerning,” warning that it could empower a vast number of police officers to issue arbitrary content removal notices.

X vs Karnataka HC

In a statement, X said: “Deeply concerned by the recent order from Karnataka Court in India, which will allow millions of police officers to issue arbitrary takedown orders. We will appeal this order to defend free expression.”

The Karnataka High Court had earlier dismissed petitions filed by X challenging the Centre’s directions to block certain accounts and posts. The court emphasized that social media cannot operate unregulated in India, describing oversight as “the need of the hour.”

The bench clarified that constitutional free speech rights under Article 19 apply only to Indian citizens, not foreign entities. “Article 19 remains the charter of rights for citizens only. The protective embrace of Article 19 cannot be invoked by those who are not citizens,” the judges noted.

Criticising X for resisting Indian takedown orders while complying with U.S. laws, the court remarked: “American jurisprudence cannot be transported to Indian judicial thought process.” It also raised concerns about the growing role of algorithms in shaping public discourse, questioning whether tighter regulation of social media is required.

Highlighting the fast-evolving digital space, the bench underlined that the 2021 IT Rules must be interpreted in line with current technological realities. The judgment concluded firmly: “No social media platform can take exemption from the laws of the land. Indian marketplaces cannot be treated as a playground.”