Government Issues 91 Takedown Notices to Social Media Platform X Over Legal Violations

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued 91 takedown notices to the social media platform X since March 2024, targeting over 1,100 URLs for alleged legal violations. More than half of these notices were related to disturbing public order, while others focused on political figures and national integrity. The notices, issued under the Information Technology Act, highlight the government's efforts to regulate online content amid rising tensions, particularly during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and Operation Sindoor. X is currently challenging the legitimacy of a government portal designed to streamline these takedown requests, raising questions about censorship and compliance requirements for social media platforms.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 23, 2025, 17:45 IST

Overview of Takedown Notices Issued

The Ministry of Home Affairs has sent a total of 91 takedown notices to the social media platform X since March 2024, targeting over 1,100 URLs that allegedly breach legal standards, as reported by a leading news outlet.

Out of these, more than half, specifically 566 URLs, were flagged for causing disturbances to public order. Additionally, 124 notices were related to content aimed at political and public figures.

The compilation of these notices, covering the period from March 20, 2024, to November 7, 2025, was included in an affidavit submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Delhi High Court in December.

These notices were issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.

This section indicates that online intermediaries, including social media platforms, risk losing their safe harbour status if they do not remove or restrict access to content used for unlawful activities after being notified by government authorities.

Should this status be revoked, the platforms would become liable for the content in question.

According to the reviewed notices, 58 takedown requests were made to X in 2024, with 24 specifically addressing issues related to public tranquillity and inciting enmity.

Three notices were issued for content that allegedly threatened national integrity and sovereignty, as reported.

During this timeframe, 14 notices were related to criminal activities, including the promotion of betting applications, impersonation of official accounts that could lead to financial fraud, and the distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The report also noted a surge in takedown notices surrounding the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 and during Operation Sindoor in May.

In total, 761 URLs were flagged in takedown notices to X during the elections held in April and May 2024. Among these, nine notices concerning 198 URLs were related to violations of the Representation of the People Act.

Operation Sindoor involved military actions by the Indian forces against what were claimed to be terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan on May 7.

This operation was a response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in 26 fatalities on April 22.

Numerous notices were issued for posts on X amid these tensions, including five notices requesting the removal of 56 URLs for content that allegedly threatened India's integrity, sovereignty, and security.

Following Operation Sindoor, two additional notices were issued seeking the removal of three URLs for content that was reportedly critical of the Indian Army.

Currently, X is contesting the validity of Sahyog, a portal established by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre to streamline content takedown orders, in court. This portal also utilizes Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act to issue such notices.

X has referred to this portal as a censorship mechanism, arguing that the Information Technology Act does not provide for the creation of such a portal or mandate social platforms to appoint a nodal officer for compliance.