Indian police seek removal of digital rights groups' X accounts

NEW DELHI — Two of India's leading digital rights and free speech advocacy groups have reported that police in the capital have requested X, formerly Twitter, to take down their accounts over claims that their posts defamed a Hindu nationalist organisation connected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political movement.

The groups, which focus on internet freedom and civil liberties issues, said the police action represents an attempt to silence their online advocacy work. The demand reflects growing tensions between civil society organisations and authorities over content moderation and speech protections in India.

The incident highlights escalating concerns among digital rights advocates about police pressure on social media platforms to remove content deemed critical or defamatory. Critics have raised alarms about such actions potentially undermining free speech protections and limiting public discourse on sensitive political matters.

The use of defamation complaints and police orders to remove accounts has become an increasingly common mechanism for challenging critical speech in India, particularly content touching on political groups and government-affiliated organisations. Rights groups have warned that such measures chill legitimate debate and restrict the functioning of civil society organisations operating in the digital space.

X has not publicly commented on the police request or whether it has complied with the removal demands.