India’s IT Ministry has unlawfully expanded censorship powers, allowing easier online content removal, X alleges in a lawsuit.

The case marks an escalation in the legal dispute between X (formerly Twitter) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government regarding the removal of content online.

The lawsuit, filed on March 5, claims that India’s IT Ministry has directed other government departments to use a government website, launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs last year, to issue content-blocking orders. Social media companies, including X, are also mandated to join this platform.

X argues that the website undermines existing legal safeguards for content removal, such as those requiring orders to protect national sovereignty or public order, and lacking oversight by top officials.

According to X, the new mechanism facilitates unchecked censorship and seeks to annul the directive.

India’s IT Ministry redirected requests for comment to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which did not respond.

The case, which was briefly heard in the High Court of Karnataka earlier this week, is set to resume on March 27.

In 2021, X (formerly Twitter) had a stand-off with the Indian government over its refusal to comply with legal orders to block tweets related to the farmers’ protest. However, the company later complied under public pressure. X’s legal challenge to this decision is still ongoing.