NEW DELHI — Elon Musk's social media platform X is embroiled in a legal tussle with the Indian government, having filed a lawsuit over alleged unlawful censorship practices. The lawsuit argues that India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has expanded its powers in a manner that facilitates the easier removal of online content, resulting in significant restrictions on free speech.
The court filing, dated March 5, 2025, was made publicly known recently, revealing claims that the IT Ministry directed other governmental departments to utilize a government-operated website to issue content-blocking orders. X contends that this mechanism is devoid of the stringent legal safeguards that previously dictated how and when content could be removed from the platform. In a statement, the company called the approach an “impermissible parallel mechanism” creating “unrestrained censorship of information in India.” The alleged actions of the Indian government could lead to what X fears would be significant prejudice and detrimental impacts on its business.
The dispute has escalated as Musk prepares to launch two major initiatives in India, namely Starlink and Tesla. Musk has formed agreements with major telecommunications companies in India—Jio and Bharti Airtel—to advance the rollout of Starlink broadband services across the country. However, these operations are still pending necessary authorization from the government.
The legal challenges are not novel, as X, which used to be known as Twitter, previously met resistance from the Indian government in 2021, when it declined to comply with orders to block posts related to the farmers' protests. Musk’s latest venture into legal action comes at a time of renewed contention between the tech firm and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration.
The case was briefly heard in the High Court of Karnataka earlier this week, around March 17-19, 2025, but did not reach a final verdict. It is scheduled to be revisited on March 27, 2025. While there has been no official comment from the Indian government regarding the ongoing lawsuit, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology redirected requests for statements to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Legal experts have noted that this situation reached far beyond merely seeking a clarification of law, highlighting its potential geopolitical implications. As Shashank Reddy, a managing partner at a tech-focused firm, observed, “This is no longer a single, simple issue about the interpretation of a specific section of law; it is a larger geopolitical issue.”
Musk's lawsuit comes amid a complex backdrop of trade relations between the India and the United States, particularly as tensions rise over proposed tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has indicated that tariffs on Indian goods will be imposed on April 2, 2025. In light of Musk's high-profile connections and activities, including recent negotiations under Modi's government to align facilitation for his businesses, the lawsuit introduces further complications into the diplomatic landscape.
X’s legal documents, while not made public, identify a troubling trend: hundreds of takedown demands received from India's Railways Ministry this past February have begun to indicate a governmental push for more stringent control over online dialogue. These removals reportedly included posts related to public safety issues following a tragic stampede during a large pilgrimage event known as Kumbh Mela, a circumstance that embarrassed the Modi regime, which has faced prior criticisms for lacking effective safety measures.
Digital rights advocates perceive X's initiated lawsuit as an emerging sign of resistance against a growing trend of censorship in India. “This is the first aggressive, clear action by a U.S. tech actor in the last two years on the deteriorating censorship and digital authoritarian situation in India,” said Raman Chima, Asia policy director at Access Now, a digital rights group.
Skepticism about Musk's ventures persists among Indian corporate leaders, who are concerned about the realities of conducting business in a heavily regulated market that poses significant barriers. Recently, steel mogul Sajjan Jindal questioned Musk's viability in effectively operating within India, suggesting, “He can’t be successful in this country because we Indians are here.” Despite these doubts, the Indian government has started making overtures to secure Musk's business interests, indicating a priority to accommodate his plans for market penetration.
Notably, during a meeting in Washington, D.C., in February 2025, Modi and Musk discussed goals for future collaboration, which included significant advancements in Tesla's plans to open showrooms in India. Just this month, agreements were finalized for Jio to provide crucial infrastructure to initiate Starlink service.
X's court filing is further aggravated by ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Indian administrations, with active dialogue regarding tariff negotiations unfolding amidst pressures from Trump's administration over trade. As noted in reports, the American officials have pressed India to lower tariffs on specific goods while bolstering defense procurements from the U.S.
Ultimately, the outcome of the lawsuit could have far-reaching consequences for not only Musk's ambitions in India but for the broader landscape of digital rights and censorship. Should the High Court side with X, it could open doors for greater accountability and reform within India’s censorship practices. Whereas, a ruling in favor of the Indian government may further entrench an environment of censorship and inhibit free expression online. As both parties prepare for the hearing on March 27, the tech and diplomatic world is keenly observing these developments.
