Date: June 30, 2023
The Karnataka High Court has ruled against Twitter Inc. in a case challenging the blocking and take-down orders issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The court dismissed Twitter’s plea, stating that it lacked merit, and imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh (approximately $70,000) on the social media giant.
Justice Krishna S Dixit, presiding over the single-judge bench, declared the company’s petition “devoid of merits.” In addition to the fine, the court ordered Twitter to pay the amount to the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority within 45 days. Failure to comply with the deadline would result in an additional penalty of Rs 5,000 per day.
In response to the court’s decision, Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, took to Twitter and expressed satisfaction, stating, “Hon’ble court upholds our stand. Law of the land must be followed.”
The High Court ruling stated, “In the above circumstances, this petition being devoid of merits is liable to be dismissed with exemplary costs, and accordingly it is.” The judge further emphasized that the central government possesses the authority to block tweets and accounts. As a result, Twitter’s petition was firmly rejected.
This legal battle is part of an ongoing clash between the Indian government and social media companies over compliance with local regulations. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has previously issued several directives to social media platforms, requiring them to remove or block certain content that is deemed illegal or against national interests.
Twitter, like other social media platforms, has faced scrutiny and pressure to comply with these regulations. The company’s failure to promptly address government concerns has resulted in multiple legal challenges and intensified the debate on freedom of expression and regulatory oversight in the digital age.
The Karnataka High Court’s dismissal of Twitter’s plea and the imposition of a substantial fine underscore the court’s support for the government’s stance on enforcing existing laws and regulations. The ruling serves as a reminder that social media companies operating in India must adhere to the country’s legal framework and cooperate with government directives.
As the matter continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Twitter and other social media platforms will navigate their operations in compliance with Indian regulations while addressing concerns regarding freedom of speech and expression on their platforms.