The Karnataka High Court has ruled in favor of the Indian government against Elon Musk's company X (formerly Twitter). The Court stated that foreign companies do not have the right to freedom of expression under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. This decision is significant for social media content monitoring and control over digital platforms.
Elon Musk: The Karnataka High Court has ruled in favor of the Indian government, stating that foreign companies do not have the right to freedom of expression under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. This case began in March 2025 when X approached the court against a government order. The government used the Sahyog portal to remove objectionable content from social media. The court's decision has clarified legal control over digital platforms and the responsibility of foreign companies.
What was the case?
In March this year, X approached the Karnataka High Court against government orders. The company stated that the government was ordering the removal of certain accounts and social media posts through its Sahyog portal. X described this as censorship and a violation of free speech.
Ruling in favor of the government, the High Court clarified that no foreign company in India can avail the benefits of Article 19. The Court also stated that the petitioner seeking relief must be an Indian citizen.
Sahyog Portal and Process
The Sahyog portal is a platform launched by the government that simplifies the process of removing objectionable content from social media. Companies like Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Meta, and ShareChat are using this portal.
Through this portal, orders to remove posts or content are issued transparently. However, these orders have often been controversial, such as when many posts were removed during the farmers' protests.
Court's Stance and Decision
The Karnataka High Court clarified that Article 19 applies only to Indian citizens. Foreign companies will not receive any constitutional rights under it. This decision provides legal support to the government's social media content monitoring efforts.
This ruling has clarified the position of control and responsibility under the law for digital platforms in India.
