Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has taken legal action against the Indian government, challenging its use of the Information Technology (IT) Act to issue content takedown orders. In a petition filed in the Karnataka High Court, X argues that the government is misinterpreting Section 79(3)(b) of the Act to remove content, bypassing the established legal framework under Section 69A. The platform contends that such actions harm its operations in India and raise concerns about arbitrary censorship.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, X maintains that the Supreme Court has recognized Section 69A as the only lawful mechanism for blocking online content. By using a different provision of the IT Act, the government’s approach could set a precedent for content regulation that lacks transparency and due process.
Amid this legal battle, X is also under scrutiny for its AI chatbot, Grok. The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has reportedly sought an explanation from the company regarding Grok’s use of Hindi slang and offensive language in responses. Authorities have asked for details on the datasets used to train the AI, raising concerns over content moderation and cultural sensitivity in automated systems.
The case highlights the ongoing tensions between social media platforms and governments worldwide over content regulation, free speech, and platform accountability. While X argues for a clearer legal process in content takedown requests, the Indian government’s concerns over AI-generated responses reflect the broader debate on responsible AI development.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome could have significant implications for digital platforms operating in India and set a precedent for future interactions between tech companies and regulatory authorities.
