Bengaluru, Sep 24 (NationPress) In a significant ruling, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday announced its decision regarding the Elon Musk-led social media entity X Corp, previously known as Twitter Inc, in its legal battle against the Union of India, focusing on the themes of freedom of expression and claims of unchecked censorship. The Bench underscored the necessity for social media regulation and reaffirmed the Centre's power to block content via the Sahyog Portal.

Presided over by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, the court's order stated that social media regulation is essential and deemed X's challenge to the Sahyog Portal as unsubstantiated.

The Bench highlighted that unregulated speech masquerading as liberty leads to lawlessness.

Additionally, the High Court rejected X Corp's request for a ruling stating that Section 79 (3)(B) of the Information Technology Act does not empower the Centre to issue information blocking directives.

Justice Nagaprasanna articulated, "Content on social media must be regulated, especially in cases of offenses against women; otherwise, the right to dignity as protected by the Constitution is compromised."

He further remarked, "From messaging services to platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, all communication methods are subject to regulation globally. It is not just Indians who must adhere to these standards. Even in the United States, restrictions have been placed on X. The Central government retains the authority to regulate the Sahyog Portal's usage," stated the Bench.

X Corp, represented by senior counsel K.G. Raghavan, filed a writ petition in March, seeking interim protection against what they characterized as "coercive actions".

The case, dubbed "Twitter vs. Union of India" or "X Corp vs. Union of India," emerged as X Corp sought judicial relief against the Indian government's alleged misuse of the IT Act to censor content and obstruct accounts, particularly related to the Sahyog Portal, which X has referred to as a "Censorship Portal."

The crux of the matter involved X Corp's assertion that such actions infringe upon free speech, jeopardize their business model, and represent an effort to circumvent established legal protocols in favor of a system of unchecked censorship.

X Corp contested the government's invocation of the Information Technology (IT) Act, particularly regarding orders under Section 69A and the alleged exploitation of Section 79(3)(b).

This is not the first clash; in 2022, X Corp challenged Section 69A orders regarding the blockage of complete accounts, but the Karnataka High Court upheld the government's jurisdiction.

The petition argued that the government's demands included the removal of content from opposition leaders and critics, which X Corp believes undermines its intermediary position.

The company contended that the government's actions constitute a blatant attempt to establish a censorship system devoid of proper legal frameworks or oversight.

However, the representatives for the Centre argued that the government's authority to block online information is enshrined in Section 69A, permitting restrictions based on concerns for sovereignty, security, public order, and to avert the incitement of offenses.

During a hearing on March 17, Justice M. Nagaprasanna allowed X to return to the court if the government undertook any "precipitative action" against it.

During proceedings, the government asserted that no punitive actions had been initiated against X for its refusal to engage with the Sahyog portal.