Government orders X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, including international news organisations

Social media platform X

Social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) has revealed that it as received executive orders from the Indian government to block over 8,000 accounts in India. In a post on X, the social media platform’s Global Government Affairs account said that it the orders are subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees. “The orders include demands to block access in India to accounts belonging to international news organizations and prominent X users,” said X in the post.

The social media platform also said that in most cases, the Indian government has not specified which posts from an account have violated India's local laws. “For a significant number of accounts, we did not receive any evidence or justification to block the accounts,” noted X.

X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the companys local employees. The orders include demands to block access in India to
Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) May 8, 2025

X has made it clear that the specified accounts will be withheld only in India and that it has begun the process. “However, we disagree with the Indian government’s demands. Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech,” said the social media platform.

“This is not an easy decision, however keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians’ ability to access information,” X further added.

The social media platform also said that it is exploring all possible legal avenues available to the company. “Unlike users located in India, X is restricted by Indian law in its ability to bring legal challenges against these executive orders. However, we encourage all users who are impacted by these blocking orders to seek appropriate relief from the courts,” the social media platform added.