'Social media regulation a must': Karnataka HC rejects X Corp plea; upholds govt's power on takedown orders

NEW DELHI: The Karnataka high court on Wednesday rejected a petition filed by X Corp (formerly Twitter) that challenged the Centre's authority to issue content takedown orders under the Information Technology Act.

Justice M Nagaprasanna underlined that regulation of social media platforms is essential, particularly in cases involving offences against women, news agency PTI reported.

"Social media needs to be regulated, and its regulation is a must, more so in cases of offences against women. Failing which, the right to dignity, as ordained in the Constitution, gets railroaded," the court observed.

The judge also noted that while X complies with takedown orders in the United States, where violations attract criminal penalties, the company has been reluctant to follow similar orders in India. "The same petitioner refuses to follow such orders on the shores of this nation. This cannot be countenanced," Justice Nagaprasanna said.

With the petition dismissed, the government’s power to direct social media companies to block or remove unlawful content under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act stands reinforced.