New Delhi : Social media platform X has said it will appeal against a recent order of the Karnataka High Court directing compliance with government takedown notices. In its response, X stated, 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 earlier dismissed petitions filed by X challenging the Centre’s directions to block certain accounts and posts on the platform. The court said regulation of social media was the need of the hour and stressed that microblogging platforms cannot be allowed to operate in India without oversight.
The bench observed that X must comply with the country’s laws and clarified that the constitutional protection of free speech under Article 19 is available 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 court noted.
Highlighting the fast-changing digital ecosystem, the court observed that regulation must evolve with technology, noting that the 2021 Information Technology Rules demand their own interpretative frame.
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