Introduction

An Indian court has recently dismissed Twitter’s lawsuit against the Indian federal government. The social media giant had sought to challenge New Delhi’s lockdown orders through tweets and accounts. The Karnataka High Court not only rejected the high-profile indictment but also imposed a fine of 5 million Indian rupees ($61,000) on Twitter. The court highlighted that Twitter failed to provide reasons for the delay in its compliance with notices. This verdict comes after a year of legal battles and tensions between Twitter and the Indian government.

Background of the Lawsuit

Twitter had initially filed the lawsuit before Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company was completed. The platform alleged that the Indian government abused its power by ordering the removal of various tweets and accounts. Twitter claimed that these orders were arbitrary and disproportionate, with some of them targeting political content. However, the court observed that Twitter partially complied with the takedown orders but also resisted many of them.

Musk, who has a seemingly closer relationship with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cited Twitter’s legal battles in India as one of the reasons for wanting to withdraw from the acquisition deal. This move raised concerns about the platform’s future in its third-largest market.

The Court’s Verdict and Criticisms

In its verdict, the Karnataka High Court criticized Twitter for failing to comply with the government’s notices and for delaying its compliance without providing any valid reasons. The court pointed out that non-compliance with Indian IT rules could lead to a penalty of up to seven years in prison and an unlimited fine. The judge’s scathing remarks emphasized the importance of timely compliance and questioned Twitter’s approach as a multi-billion dollar company.

Challenges Faced by Twitter in India

Twitter’s legal battles in India reflect the challenges it has faced in the country over the past year and a half. The platform has been asked to remove hundreds of accounts and tweets, many of which were critical of the Indian government’s policies. Twitter partially complied with these requests but also sought to challenge some of the legal orders.

However, under India’s IT rules amendment that came into effect in 2021, Twitter’s ability to challenge takedown orders was limited. These rules required social media platforms to comply with government directions and cooperate with investigations, raising concerns about freedom of speech and censorship.

Jack Dorsey’s Claims and Government’s Response

Prior to this verdict, Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, alleged that India regularly issued requests for the removal of posts and accounts, often accompanied by threats of legal consequences. However, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the federal deputy minister for information technology in India, refuted Dorsey’s claims. Chandrasekhar accused Dorsey of attempting to revise Twitter’s history and remove the controversial period from public memory.

Conclusion

The dismissal of Twitter’s lawsuit against the Indian government highlights the challenges faced by social media platforms in balancing freedom of speech and compliance with local laws. The verdict emphasizes the importance of timely compliance and questions the actions of a multi-billion dollar company like Twitter. As such, it raises concerns about the future of foreign social media platforms in India and the implications for freedom of expression. The Karnataka High Court’s decision sets a precedent for similar cases and may impact how social media companies operate in the country.