Fact-checker and Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair has said that several of his posts on X have been blocked in India following a government order issued under the Information Technology Act.
Sharing details on social media, Zubair said he received an email from X informing him about a blocking order issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under Section 69A of the IT Act.
“Got an email from X saying that they received a blocking order from the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology citing Section 69A… regarding my X account,” he wrote.
Posts on Ram Navami violence reportedly targeted
According to Zubair, the posts flagged by authorities included videos showing alleged violence by Hindutva groups during Ram Navami processions.
Questioning the move, he said, “So, exposing fake propaganda and false narratives set by BJP ministers and official handles is not allowed now?”
X, in its communication, stated that it was “legally required” to restrict access to the specified content within India, while the posts would remain visible outside the country. The platform added that it could not share further details due to legal restrictions but suggested that the order could be challenged through the courts or by contacting the ministry.
Meta restricts Facebook pages of media outlets
In a related development, Meta has restricted access in India to several Facebook pages, including those of Molitics, National Dastak, and satirist Rajeev Nigam.
Visitors to these pages now see a message stating: “Content not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
Molitics editor Neeraj Jha criticised the action, saying, “When people at the top of power start feeling uncomfortable with the truth, the pillar of journalism begins to crumble… Our Facebook page has been restricted in our country. No reason has been given.”
National Dastak, which focuses on issues related to Dalits, Adivasis, and minorities, also received a similar notice citing Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act.
Rajeev Nigam expressed concern over the restriction, saying, “My Facebook page won’t be visible to people in India… You’re not just stopping us from speaking out, you’re closing off all our avenues.”
Rising use of takedown powers
The developments come amid increasing use of government powers to block or restrict online content. Under Section 69A, authorities can order content removal on grounds such as national security or public order.
Meanwhile, Section 79(3)(b) removes legal protection for platforms if they fail to comply with government directives to take down “unlawful” content.
Government data shows a sharp rise in such actions. According to official figures, over 1.11 lakh pieces of online content were blocked till March 31, 2025. Reports also indicate that the Union Home Ministry has been issuing an average of around 290 takedown notices per day.
Concerns over transparency and free speech
The recent actions have sparked debate over transparency and due process, as several affected individuals and platforms say they were not given detailed reasons for the restrictions.
Zubair alleged that while “cropped videos with false narratives” circulated earlier without action, his posts were targeted after he shared what he described as the “actual video” of events.
