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X confirmed the restoration but offered no details about the cause or reversal.
The official Reuters X (formerly Twitter) account has been restored in India after a brief suspension that left users questioning the reason behind the sudden block. The global news agency, which commands over 25 million followers, was inaccessible to Indian users from Saturday night until Sunday evening, sparking discussions over freedom of press, social media regulation, and government transparency.
The block was accompanied by a message on X stating the account had been "withheld in India in response to a legal demand." However, no details were provided by X about the specific content that triggered the suspension or which government body filed the request.
A spokesperson from India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified that no directive had been issued by any government agency to restrict Reuters’ access. Officials reportedly began coordinating with X to investigate the issue.
Reuters confirmed that it was in active communication with the platform to restore access to its account. “Reuters was working with X to resolve this matter and get the account reinstated in India as soon as possible,” said a company spokesperson. Another handle operated by the agency, Reuters World, was also affected but restored late Sunday night.
An earlier communication from X dated May 16 had alerted Reuters about a legal notice under India’s Information Technology Act, 2000, which permits blocking online content deemed a threat to public order, national security, or in violation of local laws. However, Reuters could not confirm if this notice was related to the weekend’s action.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between X (Twitter) and the Indian government over content moderation policies. In March, X filed a legal challenge against a new government website that allegedly gives bureaucrats sweeping content removal powers. The government countered that the site merely serves as a notification tool for platforms.
The temporary suspension and its vague handling highlight the growing challenges around social media governance, free speech, and legal compliance in India.
The block was accompanied by a message on X stating the account had been "withheld in India in response to a legal demand." However, no details were provided by X about the specific content that triggered the suspension or which government body filed the request.
A spokesperson from India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified that no directive had been issued by any government agency to restrict Reuters’ access. Officials reportedly began coordinating with X to investigate the issue.
Reuters confirmed that it was in active communication with the platform to restore access to its account. “Reuters was working with X to resolve this matter and get the account reinstated in India as soon as possible,” said a company spokesperson. Another handle operated by the agency, Reuters World, was also affected but restored late Sunday night.
An earlier communication from X dated May 16 had alerted Reuters about a legal notice under India’s Information Technology Act, 2000, which permits blocking online content deemed a threat to public order, national security, or in violation of local laws. However, Reuters could not confirm if this notice was related to the weekend’s action.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between X (Twitter) and the Indian government over content moderation policies. In March, X filed a legal challenge against a new government website that allegedly gives bureaucrats sweeping content removal powers. The government countered that the site merely serves as a notification tool for platforms.
The temporary suspension and its vague handling highlight the growing challenges around social media governance, free speech, and legal compliance in India.
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