India Shifts Strategy: Limited Officials Allowed Internet Content Takedown

In a strategic policy shift, the Indian government has considerably reduced the number of officials authorized to order the removal of online content. This move comes after a high-profile legal battle with Elon Musk's social media platform, X, which lost its challenge in the Karnataka High Court.

The court's ruling upheld Prime Minister Narendra Modi's contentious policy allowing vast police powers over internet content. However, as of Wednesday, new regulations restrict content takedown authority to only top-tier bureaucrats and high-ranking police officials, thereby aiming to ensure stricter oversight and accountability.

Legal analyst Akash Karmakar observes that while the policy change reduces bureaucratic overreach, the process remains burdensome, with free speech concerns lingering. The updated rules require a "reasoned intimation" for takedown orders and mandate monthly reviews to enhance diligence.