X Corp Appeals Against Karnataka High Court Ruling: Sahyog Portal Takedown Orders Challenge Free Speech
Company says portal gives unchecked power to officials; appeal filed after HC upheld mandatory onboarding.
Supreme Court to examine whether Sahyog portal violates IT Act safeguards and constitutional rights.
By Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: November 15, 2025:
The battle between global social media giant X Corp (formerly Twitter) and the Indian government has escalated, with X filing an appeal against the Karnataka High Court’s September 2025 ruling that upheld the legality of the Sahyog portal. The portal, introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), allows government officials to directly issue takedown requests to platforms through a centralized system.
X Corp argues that the portal bypasses judicial oversight, undermines transparency, and violates the constitutional right to free speech. The appeal is expected to be heard by the Supreme Court of India in the coming months.
Background of the Case
The Sahyog portal was launched in 2024 to streamline government requests for content removal, citing national security, public order, and misinformation concerns. Platforms were mandated to onboard and comply with takedown orders issued through the portal.
X Corp challenged the directive, arguing that:
- The portal lacks a legal basis under Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, which governs content blocking.
- Orders issued through the portal are opaque and arbitrary, without proper reasoning or judicial review.
- The system contradicts Supreme Court rulings, including Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015), which emphasized safeguards against misuse of takedown powers.
On September 24, 2025, the Karnataka High Court dismissed X’s petition, ruling that the government has the authority to mandate onboarding and issue takedown orders under the IT Act.
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X Corp’s Appeal
Following the High Court verdict, X Corp filed an appeal before the Supreme Court, reiterating its concerns:
- Free Speech Violation: The company claims the portal enables censorship without accountability.
- Lack of Transparency: Users are not informed when their content is removed, nor are reasons disclosed.
- Contradiction with Supreme Court Precedents: The appeal cites earlier judgments requiring safeguards and proportionality in content regulation.
- Global Standards: X argues that India’s system diverges from international norms, where takedown requests are subject to judicial or independent oversight.
X’s global government affairs team stated: “The Sahyog portal gives unchecked power to officials to silence voices. This undermines democratic values and violates constitutional rights.”
Government’s Position
The Indian government has defended the Sahyog portal, arguing that:
- It is necessary to combat fake news, hate speech, and threats to national security.
- The portal ensures speed and efficiency, allowing quick action against harmful content.
- Platforms must comply with Indian laws if they operate in the country.
Officials maintain that the portal is consistent with the IT Act and does not violate constitutional rights.
Broader Context: Global Tech vs. Indian Regulation
The dispute reflects broader tensions between global tech companies and Indian regulators:
- In 2021, Twitter clashed with the government over compliance with the IT Rules, 2021.
- Meta and Google have also faced scrutiny over content moderation.
- India’s push for digital sovereignty has led to stricter regulations, often criticized by tech firms as excessive.
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The Sahyog portal case is seen as a test of how far India can go in regulating online platforms without infringing on free speech.
Importance of the Case
The Supreme Court’s eventual ruling will have far-reaching implications:
- For Platforms: It will determine whether global companies must comply with centralized takedown systems.
- For Users: It will affect transparency and accountability in content removal.
- For Governance: It will clarify the balance between national security and free speech.
- For Global Tech Policy: India’s approach may influence other countries considering similar systems.
Expert Opinions
Legal experts are divided. Some argue that the portal is necessary to combat misinformation, while others warn of unchecked censorship.
A Bengaluru-based lawyer noted: “The Sahyog portal lacks judicial oversight. Without safeguards, it risks becoming a tool for silencing dissent.”
Policy analysts added that the Supreme Court must strike a balance. “India needs strong mechanisms against harmful content, but they must be transparent and accountable,” said a digital rights researcher.
Conclusion
The appeal filed by X Corp against the Karnataka High Court’s ruling on the Sahyog portal marks a critical moment in India’s digital governance. The Supreme Court’s decision will determine whether the portal stands as a legitimate tool for regulating online content or is struck down as unconstitutional censorship.
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For X, the case is about protecting free speech and global standards. For the government, it is about asserting digital sovereignty and ensuring national security. For India’s citizens, it is about safeguarding their right to expression in the digital age.
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