News account on X was reinstated in India on Sunday, a day after the social media platform suspended it citing a legal demand, according to an email from X to Reuters’ social media team. X did not provide further details on the reason for the restoration.
Earlier, the Reuters account — which has over 25 million global followers — had been blocked in India since Saturday night, with a notice stating that the suspension was in response to a legal demand under India’s Information Technology Act, 2000. This law allows government officials to order removal of content deemed to violate local laws, including issues of national security or public order.
The Indian government’s Press Information Bureau denied that any agency requested the handle be withheld and said officials were working with X to resolve the issue. Reuters and X representatives did not immediately comment on the restoration.
Another Reuters-operated account, Reuters World, also blocked in India, was restored late Sunday night.
The earlier suspension followed an email sent to Reuters on May 16, informing them of a legal request to remove certain content from their X account in compliance with Indian law. However, the exact content targeted, the requesting entity, and whether this email was connected to the suspension remain unclear.
X has faced ongoing disputes with India over content removal requests. In March, X sued the Indian government over a new website it argued expanded government powers for content takedowns, a case that is ongoing.