X challenges Karnataka court order upholding government's content-takedown portal
16 Nov 2025

Elon Musk's X has filed an appeal with the Karnataka High Court, challenging a single judge's ruling that upheld the Union Government's power to issue content-blocking orders through the Sahyog portal.

The appeal seeks to overturn the September 2025 judgment, which dismissed X Corp's original plea and upheld the use of this centralized platform meant for automating notices to intermediaries for removing unlawful online content.

Legal dispute centers on interpretation of IT Act
Dispute details

The legal battle hinges on the interpretation of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, particularly the relationship between Section 69A and Section 79(3)(b).

X Corp argues that mandatory blocking orders can only be issued through a detailed due-process framework under Section 69A and its accompanying 2009 Blocking Rules.

These rules include safeguards like written reasons, notice to affected parties, and government committee review—measures designed to avoid arbitrary censorship.

X Corp alleges Sahyog portal enables arbitrary censorship
Censorship claims

X Corp claims that the Sahyog portal creates an unlawful "parallel censorship mechanism" by letting different central and state authorities, including police officers, issue content takedown notices under broader provisions of Section 79(3)(b) and Rule 3(1)(d) of the 2021 IT Rules.

The platform argues this circumvention of the Section 69A process removes necessary procedural discipline and judicial oversight, empowering "millions of officers" to demand arbitrary takedowns based merely on allegations of "illegality."

Court defends regulatory oversight in digital space
Judicial response

In its September ruling, the single-judge bench emphatically rejected X Corp's argument.

Justice M Nagaprasanna held that the Sahyog portal was not a tool for censorship but a facilitation mechanism intended as an instrument of "public good" to streamline cooperation in tackling cybercrime.

The court defended regulatory oversight, asserting that social media as a modern public arena cannot be left in a state of "anarchic freedom."

X Corp's appeal raises key constitutional questions
Appeal implications

By filing the writ appeal, X Corp is asking a division bench of the High Court to revisit key constitutional and legal questions: the constitutional standing of foreign corporations, the scope of intermediary liability, and government power limits in regulating online content via automated means.

The outcome will be critical in defining digital governance and free expression rights for all intermediaries operating in India's digital space.