Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has acknowledged lapses in handling obscene and objectionable content in India and said it will strictly comply with Indian laws and IT regulations. Following strong objections from the government, X has taken swift action, blocking over 3,500 objectionable posts and permanently deleting more than 600 accounts found to be in repeated violation of content norms.
According to government sources, X has assured authorities that obscene images, videos, or any content violating Indian law will no longer be permitted on the platform. The action comes after multiple complaints alleging unchecked circulation of obscene and socially offensive material on X in recent weeks.
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Shift in stance after government crackdown
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had recently issued a notice to X, seeking a formal explanation over the continued presence of objectionable content. The ministry made it clear that all digital intermediaries operating in India are required to comply with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, along with other applicable laws.
Officials expressed serious concern over the potential impact of such content on children, women, and young users. Sources said the ministry also cautioned the platform that repeated violations could invite stringent legal action, including penalties and regulatory measures.
Admission of operational lapses
In its response to the government, X acknowledged that there were gaps in its content moderation mechanisms, which were exploited to upload and circulate prohibited material. The company described these as “operational lapses” and claimed that immediate corrective steps have now been taken to address the shortcomings.
Government data indicates that the accounts removed were repeat offenders, continuing to share obscene or prohibited content despite earlier warnings. The blocked posts included explicit images, videos, and certain external links flagged as violative of Indian law.
Graded punishment system enforced
X stated that enforcement action was carried out under its graded punishment framework. Under this system, users are first issued warnings, followed by temporary restrictions, and in cases of serious or repeated violations, permanent account removal.
The platform has also informed authorities that it is strengthening its local compliance and content moderation teams in India. In addition, X is upgrading its moderation infrastructure by combining automated detection tools with enhanced human review processes to ensure faster identification and removal of objectionable content.
Past concerns over content governance
This is not the first time X has faced scrutiny in India over content-related issues. In the past, the platform has been questioned over the handling of misinformation, hate speech, and sensitive imagery, leading to repeated engagements with government authorities.
The government has consistently maintained that freedom of expression cannot be used as a shield to bypass the law or undermine social norms. Officials have stressed that digital platforms must operate with greater accountability, especially in a diverse and populous country like India.
The road ahead
While the latest action by X is being seen as a step toward addressing the government’s concerns, authorities have indicated that compliance will be closely monitored on an ongoing basis. The government is expected to continue reviewing the platform’s response mechanisms and adherence to legal obligations.
Sources said that if similar violations are reported in the future, the government retains the option of imposing financial penalties, initiating legal proceedings, or considering partial restrictions on platform operations.
X, for its part, has reiterated that its objective in India is to provide a safe, responsible, and law-compliant digital environment, and that further measures will be taken as required to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
