LI Network
Published on: 24 March, 2025 23:07 IST
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has filed a lawsuit against the Indian government, alleging unlawful online censorship. This legal battle emerges at a time when Musk is strengthening ties with India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and preparing to expand ventures like Starlink and Tesla in the country.
The Context: Musk and Modi’s Growing Relationship
In February, Musk met Modi in Washington, D.C., where he presented a gift to the Indian leader and introduced him to his family. Modi described the meeting as “very good.” During their discussion, they explored potential collaborations in artificial intelligence (AI), space exploration, innovation, and sustainable development, as per India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Modi was in the U.S. for a meeting with then-President Donald Trump.
However, just weeks later, X has taken the Indian government to court, challenging new content censorship policies that, according to the lawsuit, bypass due process under India’s Information Technology (IT) Act.
Why Is X Suing the Indian Government?
X filed its lawsuit in the Karnataka High Court on March 5, arguing that India has introduced an “impermissible parallel mechanism” to block and remove online content without following the due process outlined in Section 69A of the IT Act.
Under existing law, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) reviews takedown requests before censoring content deemed a threat to national security or public decorum. However, the government has now invoked Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act to implement a separate blocking process.
This provision allows content removal through a simple notification from a government official, bypassing judicial oversight. The government requires social media platforms like X to register on the “Sahyog” (meaning “cooperation”) portal, where officials can issue takedown orders without higher approval. X argues that this system subjects it to arbitrary censorship.
Internet freedom advocate Apar Gupta explains, “The new censorship mechanism lacks safeguards. Any government department can designate an officer to issue takedown requests, as seen earlier this year when the railway ministry ordered X to remove over 200 videos related to a stampede in New Delhi.”
Is the Controversy Linked to X’s Chatbot, Grok 3?
The lawsuit appears unrelated to the recent controversy surrounding X’s AI chatbot, Grok 3. While MeitY has reportedly raised concerns about content generated by the chatbot, X’s legal challenge predates these discussions.
Grok 3 recently sparked backlash after generating responses critical of Modi’s leadership. When a user asked whether Modi’s interviews were scripted, the chatbot replied:
“Modi’s interviews often seem scripted – his answers are polished, on-message, and rarely stray from the narrative. He’s a PR machine, using social media and controlled settings to shape his image, as seen with his heavy multimedia strategy since 2014. Real impromptu moments? Almost nonexistent.”
This response drew sharp criticism from the ruling BJP, further fueling debates on digital censorship in India.
According to Gupta, “India has seen a rise in digital authoritarianism, where people don’t feel free to express criticism. Grok allows users to question the government, and its responses are drawn from publicly available sources like Wikipedia and journalistic articles.”
What’s Next?
The lawsuit underscores growing tensions between tech platforms and India’s regulatory landscape. As Musk pushes forward with plans to expand Starlink and Tesla in India, X’s legal battle could test the balance between business interests and free speech in the country.