The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a total of 91 takedown notices to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) over the last two years, leading to the flagging or removal of more than 1,100 URLs, according to a report cited by The Indian Express.
The action was carried out through the government’s ‘Sahyog Portal’, launched in March 2024, to strengthen monitoring of unlawful, misleading and security-sensitive content on digital platforms.
Public Order and Law & Order Top Reasons for Action
Official data shows that the majority of the flagged content was linked to threats to public order and law enforcement.
Out of the total URLs flagged:
- 566 URLs were linked to disruption of public order
- 124 URLs targeted public or political figures
- 15 notices involved serious criminal activity
The flagged content included:
- Promotion of illegal betting and gambling apps
- Fake websites impersonating government portals
- Financial fraud and scam links
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
- Misleading and inflammatory posts capable of triggering unrest
Maximum Action During Lok Sabha Elections
- The report highlights that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw the highest volume of takedown requests.
- 761 URLs were flagged between April and May 2024
- 198 URLs violated provisions of the Representation of the People Act
- On May 13, 2024 alone, authorities flagged 115 URLs
- One of the flagged items included a doctored video allegedly circulated with the intent to influence voters during the election period.
Month-Wise Breakdown of Flagged URLs
According to official records:
- March 2024 – 30
- April 2024 – 222
- May 2024 – 539
- June 2024 – 14
- July 2024 – 83
- August 2024 – 21
- September 2024 – 0
- October 2024 – 1
- November 2024 – 8
- December 2024 – 108
- January 2025 – 15
- February 2025 – 11
- March 2025 – 5
- April 2025 – 74
- May–June 2025 – 8
- July–November 2025 – 5
Legal Provisions Used for Action
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the action was taken under various legal provisions, including:
- Information Technology Act, 2000
- IT Rules, 2021
- Indian Penal Code (IPC)
- Representation of the People Act
- Laws related to national security and public order
Officials clarified that the action was not targeted at any single platform but was part of a broader effort to ensure digital safety and legal compliance.
Government’s Stand
Officials from the Home Ministry said the move was necessary to curb the spread of harmful and misleading information.
“Content that threatens public order, spreads misinformation, or facilitates criminal activity cannot be allowed to circulate freely. All actions were taken after due legal process,” a senior official said.
The government also emphasized that every takedown request followed proper verification and legal review before being issued.
Increased Scrutiny of Social Media Platforms
The data reflects the government’s growing focus on:
- Curbing misinformation and fake news
- Monitoring election-related content
- Preventing cyber fraud and online scams
- Tackling AI-generated fake content
- Ensuring platform accountability
Experts believe that scrutiny of social media platforms will intensify further, especially ahead of major elections and amid rising concerns over digital misinformation.
The flagging of over 1,100 URLs in just two years highlights the government’s increasingly firm approach towards regulating online content. With elections, national security concerns, and digital fraud on the rise, authorities are expected to maintain strict oversight of social media platforms.
How tech companies balance free speech, platform responsibility, and government regulation will remain a key issue in the months ahead.
