India has ordered social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to block more than 8,000 accounts, a move the platform has described as government-imposed censorship. The directive comes amid escalating tensions with Pakistan following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi blames on Islamabad an accusation Pakistan denies.
X confirmed the order in a statement issued on Thursday, revealing that the Indian government’s request includes the suspension of accounts belonging to Pakistani politicians, celebrities, media organisations, and even international news outlets. The platform said it was reluctantly complying to avoid penalties, including hefty fines and the potential imprisonment of its local employees.
“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 said. It noted that the Indian government often failed to provide clear reasons or evidence for the takedowns, leaving the company in a difficult legal position.
The development follows Meta’s move to ban a prominent Muslim news page from Instagram at the Indian government’s request, further fuelling concerns about digital freedom in the country.
This digital crackdown comes as India and Pakistan face one of their most dangerous standoffs in recent years. A series of artillery exchanges along the disputed Kashmir border has resulted in over 50 deaths. Meanwhile, both sides have ramped up cyber and information warfare. Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Karachi Port Trust reported their X accounts were hacked, with one incident falsely claiming that the port had come under Indian military attack.
In addition to social media restrictions, India has banned more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading “provocative” content. Pakistani entertainers like Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam, along with cricketers such as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, have also been effectively blacklisted.
The growing hostility has triggered a wave of online misinformation, including deepfake videos and recycled images from unrelated conflicts, complicating the already fragile relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
