Recent reports suggest that multiple Twitter accounts and tweets, including @Kisanektamorcha, @Tractor2twitr and @RanaAyyub, have been withheld in India. Twitter has taken action against these accounts/tweets under the Information Technology Act, 2000 in response to “legal requests” sent by the Government of India (GoI). We found 2 recent databases of the Government’s “legal requests” sent to Twitter, based on which content and accounts are being taken down. The Lumen database is a research collaborative where legal complaints and removal requests for online content are archived and analysed. Each request contains multiple accounts/tweets that have been withheld in India. Although there are large overlaps between the two documents, based on our observations, certain accounts are only listed in one document and do not currently seem to be withheld. In the interest of awareness & transparency, we released the two lists of “legal requests” (see here and here).
Citizens have the right to challenge blocking of online content, but they are unable to do so without access to these orders. We believe that not making such takedown and content restriction orders public is detrimental to institutional transparency and the fight against censorship in India. Thus, we have consistently advocated for such disclosures as they are crucial for holding the government accountable.
If you have something to say about these instances of content takedown or generally state-led censorship in India, engage here! We are more than happy to respond to any query you may have and learn from you as well. You can also find our detailed guide from July, 2021 on how to navigate social media account censorship here.
are procedurally & substantially deficient of the Sec. 69A requirements