Twitter India blocks 97 per cent of its accounts after receiving stern warning from IT ministry

After receiving a stern warning from the IT Ministry for using provocative content and misinformation around farmers’ protest, Twitter has blocked over 97 per cent of its accounts and posts.

This followed a meeting between Twitter representatives and the Information Technology Secretary where the US-based microblogging platform was issued a stern warning to comply with local laws or be prepared for action.

In a statement after the meeting, the IT Ministry had stated that the microblogging platform had been asked to take strong action against “well-coordinated” campaigns “designed to create disharmony and unrest” in the country. Monique Meche, Twitter Vice President Global Public Policy and Jim Baker, Deputy General Counsel and Vice President Legal had affirmed Twitter’s commitment towards following Indian laws and rules.

The Ministry had questioned Twitter’s delay in taking action on its order to block provocative content that could impact public law and order, whereas the American company had been quick to crack down when a similar instance occurred at US Capitol Hill.

According to sources, Twitter has now complied with the orders and over 97 per cent of the accounts flagged have been blocked.

On February 4, Twitter was asked to take down 1,178 accounts with links to Pakistan and Khalistan supporters that were spreading misinformation and provocative content related to farmers’ protest. Prior to that, the government had sought blocking of 257 tweets and handles in connection with the agitation by farmers over the new agricultural laws. Twitter had complied with the orders only to restore the accounts hours later.

The executives had also requested for better engagement between the Indian government and the company’s global team. Sources said Twitter’s latest move to block the flagged accounts is itself a validation that the government’s orders were backed by sound reasoning and logic.

The government had made it clear that it will not negotiate with the platforms while insisting on compliance with its orders as it believed that a private commercial entity in India cannot unilaterally decide on public law and order, ignoring the democratic values of the country.

The IT Ministry was of the view that Twitter, being an intermediary, was required to take immediate action after receiving the government’s notice to block handles, but did not move with haste to take down atrocious hashtags and incendiary content even amid a volatile situation.