Reuters’s X Account Blocked In India Over Old Order Issued During Op Sindoor : Govt
The main X account of the international news agency Reuters was blocked for users in India on Sunday, with the social media platform stating the action was taken “in response to a legal demand.” However, Indian government officials have denied making any fresh request and have clarified that the block appears to be a delayed enforcement of an order issued nearly two months ago during ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Official sources said on Sunday that the government has reached out to X (formerly Twitter) to resolve the matter and lift the ban at the earliest, calling the current action a “mistake” on the platform’s part.
Users in India attempting to access the @Reuters handle are met with a notice that reads: “Account withheld. @Reuters has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand.” While other affiliated accounts like Reuters Fact Check and Reuters Asia remain accessible, the main global news handle is unavailable.
According to a top government source who spoke to the PTI news agency, the legal order to block the account was originally issued on May 7, during the India-Pakistan conflict dubbed ‘Operation Sindoor’. “An order was issued on May 7 but it was not enforced. X seems to have enforced that order now which is a mistake on their part,” the source said.
The government’s quick clarification suggests that the sudden blocking of a major international news agency’s account was not its current intention. The move has already raised concerns among media and digital rights organisations about the transparency and application of legal takedown orders by social media platforms operating in India.
According to X’s policy, an account is withheld in a specific country when the platform is compelled to do so in response to a valid legal demand, such as a court order or a directive from a government entity under local laws
