Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has confirmed that it has withheld access to thousands of accounts and posts in India, in compliance with legal takedown orders issued by the Indian government.

The platform said the move was made to adhere to the laws of the country, though it has expressed concerns about the implications for free speech.

According to a report by The Hindu, the action follows official directives requiring the platform to block content and accounts that were allegedly found violating national security norms or spreading misinformation. The government has invoked provisions under the Information Technology Act, which allows for such takedowns when content is deemed harmful to public order, sovereignty, or friendly relations with foreign states.

X, in a statement shared through its Global Government Affairs account, said: “In compliance with the orders, we took action to withhold these accounts and posts in India alone; however, we disagree with these actions and maintain that freedom of expression should be protected.” The platform also stated it has notified users where possible, unless legally prohibited from doing so, and stressed that the withheld content remains accessible outside of India.