Centre Criticizes X for Labeling Sahyog Portal as a ‘Censorship’ Tool

The Indian government has strongly criticized social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) for labeling its Sahyog portal a “censorship” tool. The controversy surrounding the Sahyog Portal has sparked legal and political debates, with the Centre calling the claim “unfortunate” and “condemnable.” In a recent hearing before the Karnataka High Court, the government argued that the Sahyog Portal functions as a facilitative mechanism aimed at streamlining coordination between digital intermediaries and law enforcement agencies, rather than a tool for suppressing content.

The Sahyog Portal controversy stems from X's legal challenge against the Indian government’s use of Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology (IT) Act. X argues that this provision contradicts the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in the 2015 Shreya Singhal case, which held that content blocking should only occur under Section 69A of the IT Act or through a court order. The social media platform contends that the government is exceeding its legal mandate by using Section 79(3)(b) to direct intermediaries to take down content without proper legal backing.

In response, the Centre defended the Indian government’s Sahyog Portal, emphasizing that while Section 69A empowers authorities to issue blocking orders, Section 79(3)(b) mandates digital intermediaries to comply with legal notices. The government maintains that the Sahyog Portal function is to facilitate digital compliance, ensuring efficient communication between law enforcement agencies and social media platforms, rather than imposing blanket censorship.

The ongoing legal dispute underscores the broader tensions between global digital platforms and regulatory authorities over content moderation, compliance with national laws, and freedom of speech. As the Sahyog Portal controversy unfolds, the case's outcome could significantly impact the regulatory framework governing digital platforms in India. It may also set a precedent for how the government enforces IT regulations and how social media companies navigate compliance while maintaining their commitment to free expression.

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