India orders X to block 8,000+ accounts

India directed the social media platform X to block more than 8,000 accounts, a move the company described as government-enforced “censorship,” sparking renewed debate over free speech and digital control.

In a statement released Thursday, X's global government affairs team confirmed that the platform is complying with executive orders from the Indian government, though it strongly disagrees with them. The blocked accounts reportedly include those of international news outlets, Pakistani politicians, celebrities, and media figures.

"X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company's local employees," the statement read. The company also noted that many of the takedown orders lacked specificity or supporting evidence, calling the broad-based blocks unjustified.

“Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech,” X added, emphasizing the importance of keeping the platform accessible to Indian users.

The enforcement action follows heightened hostilities between India and Pakistan, triggered by a recent militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Islamabad — a charge Pakistan has denied. In the wake of the incident, India launched air strikes it claimed targeted militant infrastructure, leading to further deadly skirmishes along the border. Since the strikes began, at least 48 people have been reported killed on both sides.

Both countries have also accused one another of launching drone attacks, while the information war online has intensified. Social media platforms have become a battleground of misinformation, with doctored videos and unrelated war footage being circulated under false pretenses.

The crackdown on digital platforms has extended beyond X. On Wednesday, Instagram—owned by Meta—removed a prominent Muslim news page at the request of Indian authorities. India has also moved to block more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for what it calls "provocative content."

Several high-profile Pakistani figures have reportedly been affected, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, politician Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, as well as cultural and sports icons like actors Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam, and cricket stars Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shahid Afridi, and Wasim Akram.

Though X has not released the names of the affected accounts due to legal constraints, it has encouraged impacted users to challenge the orders in Indian courts.

"This is not an easy decision, however keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians' ability to access information," X concluded.