X Restores Reuters Accounts After Indian Government Backlash

X, the social media platform, has been embroiled in a contentious dispute with the Indian government over the removal of user profiles and news feeds. On July 3, 2025, the Indian government issued an order under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, directing X to block 2,355 accounts, including prominent international news outlets such as Reuters and ReutersWorld. The directive stipulated that non-compliance would result in criminal liability, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology demanded immediate action within one hour, without providing justification, and required the accounts to remain blocked until further notice.

X complied with the order, but the move sparked widespread criticism and public outcry. In response to the backlash, the Indian government requested X to restore the Reuters channels. X reinstated the Reuters News feed and a large portion of the 2,355 accounts specified in the order on July 6, 2025. However, the government of New Delhi maintained that it did not request any such bans and that its intention was not to mute prominent global news outlets.

According to a representative from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, no new directive was issued on July 3, and officials worked late into the night of July 5, 2025, to sort out the issue. The spokesperson added that X “unnecessarily exploited technicalities involved around the process and didn’t unblock” the accounts. The official also stated that the government immediately asked for the reinstatement of Reuters and Reuters World as soon as X blocked them in India.

This is not the first time X has clashed with Indian authorities over content removal. In March, the platform initiated legal action against the central government to challenge a new official website that would expand takedown authority to numerous officials. That lawsuit remains unresolved. India, with its large population, is often among the top countries asking to take down online content. Rights groups say press freedom and open discussion have been under growing pressure since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014.

The Indian government has also imposed network blackouts amid civil disturbances. For instance, in April, authorities blocked over a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels following an incident in Indian-administered Kashmir, labeling the content “provocative.” Only some of those channels have been reinstated. Moreover, intermittent shutdowns have been enforced in Manipur since clashes erupted in 2023. Officials argue these measures are vital to prevent the spread of false information in a nation where vast numbers rely on extremely low-cost mobile internet.

In the July 8 update, X indicated it was considering various judicial strategies but felt its hands were tied by local regulations. “We urge affected users to pursue legal remedies through the courts,” it added. The platform, which rebranded from Twitter, has repeatedly clashed with Indian authorities over content-ban demands. The ongoing dispute highlights the tension between the Indian government's efforts to control online content and the platform's commitment to free speech and open discussion.