X complies with orders from govt. to block accounts, posts.

Syllabus: GS-II

Subject: polity

Topic: Rights Issues

Issue:  IT Act 2000

Context: X, formerly Twitter’s detailed statement on the Union government’s frequent blocking requests.

Laws/Regulations related:

1. Section 69A of IT Act 2000: Empowers the government to block access to information in circumstances like threats to
   1. the unity,
   2. integrity,
   3. security
   4. sovereignty of India etc.
2. Rule 16 of IT Rules 2021: Blocking of information in case of emergency.

Related Case law: Shreya Singhal v. Union of India 2015

• Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, declared unconstitutional for violating the freedom of speech guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.
• The court upheld the constitutionality of Section 69A of the act.
• Recently the Karnataka High Court dismissed pleas by Twitter challenging the blocking orders by the government upholding Section 69A of the act.