On the evening of Saturday, July 5, 2025, users in India attempting to access Reuters’ primary X (formerly Twitter) account, @Reuters, which boasts over 25 million followers, encountered a message stating that the account has been withheld in IN (India) in response to a legal demand. Similarly, the @ReutersWorld account faced the same restriction. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/x-suspends-reuters-account-india-after-legal-demand-government-denies-making-2025-07-06/?utm_source=openai))
By Sunday, July 6, both accounts were reinstated without a clear explanation for the initial suspension. An email from X to Reuters’ social media team simply stated, At this time, we are no longer withholding access in INDIA to your account, without providing further details. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/x-suspends-reuters-account-india-after-legal-demand-government-denies-making-2025-07-06/?utm_source=openai))
The Indian government’s Press Information Bureau clarified that no directive had been issued to withhold Reuters’ handle. A spokesperson emphasized, There is no requirement from the Government of India to withhold the Reuters handle. We are continuously working with X to resolve the problem. ([techcrunch.com](https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/06/x-blocks-reuters-accounts-in-india/?utm_source=openai))
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between X and the Indian government concerning content moderation and legal compliance. In May 2025, X blocked over 8,000 accounts in India following government orders aimed at combating misinformation. The platform expressed concerns about censorship and the lack of transparency surrounding these directives. ([business-standard.com](https://www.business-standard.com/amp/technology/tech-news/x-blocks-8000-indian-accounts-government-orders-censorship-free-speech-125050801811_1.html?utm_source=openai))
Furthermore, in March 2025, X initiated legal action against the Indian government, challenging a new website that the company claims expands censorship powers to numerous government officials. The government, however, denies these allegations, stating that the website merely notifies tech companies about harmful online content. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/x-suspends-reuters-account-india-after-legal-demand-government-denies-making-2025-07-06/?utm_source=openai))
The temporary blocking of Reuters’ accounts raises questions about the balance between national security, freedom of the press, and the responsibilities of social media platforms operating within India’s legal framework. As digital platforms continue to navigate complex regulatory environments, incidents like these highlight the challenges in maintaining transparency and upholding free speech while complying with local laws.
