X Temporarily Blocks Reuters Accounts in India Over Legal Demand

X (formerly Twitter) temporarily restricted access to Reuters’ primary and world accounts for users in India on Saturday evening. The accounts, including @Reuters with 25 million followers, displayed a message stating they were “withheld in IN (India) in response to a legal demand.” Access was restored by Sunday.

The Indian government denied issuing any directive to block Reuters, with a spokesperson stating, “There is no requirement from the Government of India to withhold Reuters handle.” Reuters confirmed it is collaborating with X to resolve the issue.

This incident follows a prior notification from X in May, informing Reuters that content was withheld at the Indian government’s request. However, details about the specific agency or content involved were not disclosed.

X has previously clashed with Indian authorities over censorship demands, even filing a lawsuit in March against a government portal it claims enables “unrestrained censorship.” The government argues the platform is merely for flagging harmful content.

This situation mirrors X’s past conflicts with other governments, including a high-profile dispute with Brazil’s Supreme Court last year, which led to a temporary ban in the country.