US-based microblogging platform Twitter told Karnataka High Court that the central government cannot issue general orders ordering the blocking of social media accounts unless the content meets the criteria outlined in Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The HC was hearing a petition against 10 blocking orders issued by the central government between February 2021 and February 2022 for 39 URLs. The Centre argued that because Twitter is a foreign platform, users of the platform cannot seek freedom of speech and other fundamental rights available to Indian citizens. It also claimed that the orders to block specific Twitter accounts were issued in the national and public interest, as well as to prevent lynchings and mob violence.
