Prominent Indian free speech groups say police ordered X accounts removed
IFF said the notices target 37 posts and three accounts, and it plans to challenge the police action in court.
- On Tuesday, the Internet Freedom Foundation revealed that Delhi Police requested X to remove its account alongside those of the Software Freedom Law Center and GeoBlockedIndia, citing alleged defamation against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
- The conflict originated October 29 when the groups received a legal notice purportedly issued on behalf of the RSS; several RSS office-bearers subsequently questioned its authenticity on October 30.
- Delhi Police filed reports with X on October 31 and November 2, ticking boxes for "defamation," "hate speech," and "safety/security," demanding removal of 40 links and 37 posts including content from 16 other users.
- The IFF condemned the "legal action," arguing police made themselves the "enforcement arm of a private legal notice" whose authenticity remains unconfirmed, and demanded the police withdraw the requests or face court challenge.
- Citing the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the foundation noted that criminal defamation is a non-cognizable offense requiring a magistrate's order for investigation, arguing the police requests lack this legal basis and violate procedural safeguards.
9 Articles
9 Articles
Prominent Indian free speech groups say police ordered X accounts removed
Two of India's most prominent digital rights and free speech groups said police in New Delhi have asked X to remove their accounts, accusing them of defaming a Hindu nationalist group linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Delhi Police takedown notices: 'Unlawful, disproportionate', says SFLC.in, flags Article 19 violation
In a statement dated November 3, SFLC.in said it received two emails from X’s Legal Department at 3:18 am and 4:33 am, informing it of takedown requests from the Delhi Police covering 42 URLs.
‘We will challenge notices in Court’: IFF’s statement on legal notice over 'defaming' RSS
Internet Freedom Foundation “A police force has made itself the enforcement arm of a private legal notice,” the IFF said in its statement condemning the police action. The following complete text is a statement issued by the Internet Freedom Foundation detailing how it was issued a legal notice on behalf of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh along with other organisations documenting censorship in India, and the police action that followed. The Del…
Delhi Police asks X to block digital rights groups over RSS defamation claims
The takedown requests cover posts by the Internet Freedom Foundation and Software Freedom Law Centre discussing a purported legal notice issued in the RSS' name, which demanded that they stop documenting government content-blocking orders.
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- 40% of the sources lean Left, 40% of the sources lean Right
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