Who can make legal requests for content takedowns?

It depends. As per the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public), 2009, a designated officer who is appointed by the Centre can make legal requests for content takedowns. In 2021, the government appointed Group Coordinator (Cyber Laws) Rakesh Maheshwari as the designated officer. Under the IT Rules, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting can exercise the powers to block content on an emergency basis (subject to review by an inter-departmental committee). Additionally, social media intermediaries like Twitter also have to comply with court orders that require content takedowns. In the past, the Election Commission of India has also flagged certain tweets for violating provisions of The Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Can state governments and law enforcement agencies directly have Twitter accounts withheld?

The short answer is no. However, as per the Blocking Rules, 2009, states and union territories can forward requests for content takedowns through a nodal officer to the Centre's designated officer. Notably, the law enforcement agency of a state or union territory can legally request the likes of Twitter to provide more information on users – but this is different from requesting for an account to be withheld.

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Explained: Is Twitter Obligated To Block Accounts When Asked? Can Users Appeal?

Several Twitter accounts have been withheld in India amid the Punjab government's crackdown on Amritpal Singh.

Sakshat Chandok

Published: 21 Mar 2023, 2:33 PM IST

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Several Twitter accounts were withheld in India recently in compliance with legal requests from the Indian government.

The action was taken by Twitter amid a crackdown by the Punjab government on separatist leader Amritpal Singh and his organisation Waris Punjab De.

The withheld accounts include those of several prominent personalities and groups, such as Canadian politician Jagmeet Singh, poet Rupi Kaur, voluntary organisation United Sikhs, Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Mann, and at least three Punjab-based journalists.

While there is a lot of speculation regarding why exactly these accounts have been withheld, it certainly isn't the first time that the Indian government has made such legal requests to ban Twitter accounts.