Karnataka HC Backs Govt on Social Media Regulation

RR Team

2 months ago

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has rejected a petition filed by X Corp, formerly known as Twitter, challenging the Centre’s authority to issue content-blocking orders. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, reinforces the government’s power to regulate social media platforms under the Information Technology (IT) Act.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna, who pronounced the order, stated that communication and its regulation have always been a matter of governance, regardless of the medium. He emphasized that unchecked information flow could threaten citizens’ constitutional rights, particularly in sensitive cases such as offences against women.

The Petition and Arguments

X Corp approached the court arguing that Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000, did not empower government officials to issue blocking orders. The company maintained that only Section 69A of the Act, read with the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009, provided the legal framework for such directives.

The platform also requested protection from coercive action by various ministries and objected to being compelled to join the government’s “Sahyog” portal. Arguments in the case concluded in late July, and the court reserved its order on July 29 before pronouncing the verdict on September 24.

High Court’s Observations

The court underlined that regulation of information has historically been necessary for governance. “Information and communication, its spread or speed has never been left unchecked and unregulated. It has always been a subject matter of regulation,” Justice Nagaprasanna noted.

He also cautioned against adopting foreign judicial reasoning in India’s context. “American judicial thought cannot be transplanted into the soil of Indian constitutional thought,” he remarked, highlighting that India’s constitutional framework must guide regulation of online content.

Government’s Stand

The Centre strongly opposed X Corp’s petition. Government lawyers argued that unlawful or illegal content cannot claim the same degree of protection as legitimate free speech. They stressed that social media platforms must comply with Indian laws and ensure accountability in cases where harmful or misleading content spreads unchecked.

The ruling aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to tighten regulation of digital platforms and ensure compliance with Indian cyber laws. More details on the IT Act and rules can be accessed on the Ministry of Electronics and IT portal.

Impact of the Verdict

The judgment is expected to have significant implications for social media companies operating in India. By upholding the Centre’s authority, the High Court has reinforced the government’s power to demand accountability from digital platforms.

Legal experts suggest that the ruling strengthens India’s stance on content regulation and may prompt global platforms to reassess compliance frameworks. At the same time, digital rights activists warn that excessive government control could affect freedom of expression if not implemented with transparency and safeguards.