India farmer protests: X admits to taking down farmers’ protest posts
Social media company X has confirmed that it has taken down accounts and posts related to the ongoing farmers’ protests in India.
The site, formerly known as Twitter, says it took down the pages after the Indian government sent them “executive orders”.
The orders were “subject to potential penalties, including imprisonment”, X said in a statement, adding that it “disagreed with these actions”.
Activists had earlier complained about their posts being removed, and many influential accounts from reporters, influencers and prominent farm unionists covering the protests were suspended.
X said the accounts and posts were being withheld in India alone “in compliance with the orders.” The company added that it had legally challenged the government’s “blocking orders,” without specifying which court they had petitioned.
Criticism has also come from India’s main opposition Congress Party accusing the government of trying to silence dissenting voices in a democratic country.
The Indian government has issued executive orders requiring X to act on specific accounts and posts, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment.
— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) February 21, 2024
In compliance with the orders, we will withhold these accounts and posts in India alone; however,…