India has criticized social media platform X (formerly Twitter) for labeling the government’s Sahyog Portal as a “censorship tool.” The Sahyog Portal, launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), aims to streamline the process of reporting and removing illegal online content by facilitating coordination between government authorities and online platforms.

The portal is designed to automate the issuance of notices under Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, requiring online intermediaries to take action against unlawful content. The government emphasizes that the portal ensures a safer digital environment by allowing quick removal of harmful material.

However, X Corp has challenged the Sahyog Portal in the Karnataka High Court, arguing that the portal, along with Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, allows the government to issue content takedown orders without following established legal safeguards under Section 69A of the IT Act. X claims that this process bypasses critical legal procedures and could lead to unchecked censorship.

The Indian government has strongly rejected X’s claims, calling the portrayal of the Sahyog Portal as a “censorship tool” both “unfortunate” and “condemnable.” Authorities assert that the portal is meant to ensure compliance with legal content standards, not to restrict free speech.

This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between content regulation and concerns over the protection of free speech. The outcome of this legal battle will likely shape future discussions on the balance between digital regulation and individual rights.

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