India has ordered social media platform X to block more than 8,000 accounts, a measure the company is implementing despite expressing concerns about its implications for free speech.
The platform acknowledged Thursday it had begun restricting access to the specified accounts within India’s borders. In a public statement, X said complying with the directive was difficult but necessary to maintain service in the country.
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 company’s local employees. The orders include demands to block access in India to…
— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) May 8, 2025
The action comes amid heightened hostilities between India and Pakistan following a deadly attack in Kashmir two weeks ago that killed 26 people, which Indian authorities blamed on Pakistan-backed militants.
According to X, the Indian government provided no evidence or justification for many of the restrictions. The platform described the wholesale blocking as unnecessary and contrary to free speech principles.
Border violence has intensified, with at least 48 casualties reported as both nations accused each other of conducting cross-border drone strikes on Thursday.
While X did not identify specific affected accounts, multiple Indian news outlets reported that profiles belonging to Pakistani politicians, cricketers and entertainers were among those restricted.
The crackdown extends beyond X, with Indian authorities also banning over a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading provocative content.
Social media has become an information battleground during the conflict, with users circulating misleading content including manipulated videos and unrelated images falsely connected to current events.
X indicated it would continue providing service in India while encouraging affected users to pursue legal remedies through the court system.
A member of the Global Government Affairs Team at X has now confirmed to me that my account has been withheld in India following a legal request from the Indian government, with them claiming that my account was spreading “disinformation” that was harmful to the national security… pic.twitter.com/OxNeKkLedp
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 9, 2025
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