Reuters Blocked on X in India—No Official Word on Why

The main X (formerly Twitter) account of global news agency Reuters has been withheld in India, sparking widespread attention and questions about the move. The action took place late Saturday evening, with users in India unable to access the @Reuters handle and instead seeing a message that the account was “withheld in IN in response to a legal demand.”

 

Key Highlights

 

Account Withheld: The @Reuters X account became inaccessible to users in India, displaying a notice about a legal demand. The @ReutersWorld account was also blocked soon after.

 

No Official Explanation: As of now, neither Reuters nor Indian authorities have issued a statement explaining the reason for the block. The specific legal grounds or content that triggered the action remain unclear.

 

Other Accounts Unaffected: Reuters’ affiliated X handles—such as Reuters Tech News, Reuters Fact Check, Reuters Pictures, Reuters Asia, and Reuters China—are still accessible in India.

 

Geo-Specific Block: The restriction appears to be limited to India. Users outside the country can still access the main Reuters X account without issue.

 

X’s Policy: According to X’s guidelines, accounts or posts may be withheld in a country if the platform receives a valid legal demand, such as a court order or a request based on local laws.

 

Legal Context: Indian law allows the government to order the blocking of online content if it is deemed a threat to sovereignty, security, public order, or for other specified reasons. Platforms are required to comply or risk legal consequences.

 

Uncertainty Remains: It is not yet clear whether the block is temporary or permanent, or if it is related to a specific report or ongoing legal matter involving Reuters or its content.

 

The development has raised concerns about press freedom and transparency in digital content regulation. More details are expected as the situation evolves.

 

Source: NDTV, CNBC-TV18, Hindustan Times