India Orders X to Block 8,000 Accounts, Global Affairs Account Blocked

The global affairs account of X (formerly known as Twitter) has been withheld in India, one day after the Elon Musk-owned platform disclosed that the Indian government had directed it to block 8,000 accounts. The account currently displays a message that reads: "Account Withheld" followed by “@GlobalAffairs has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand.”

The move comes amidst heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan, triggered by the Indian military operation dubbed ‘Operation Sindoor,’ launched early Wednesday. The operation has escalated the conflict between the two nations, with ongoing skirmishes and aerial threats.

On Thursday, X confirmed the Indian government’s order, revealing that it had been instructed to block over 8,000 accounts, including those belonging to international news outlets and well-known individuals on the platform. X added that non-compliance could result in penalties, such as heavy fines or imprisonment for local employees of the company.

According to a statement by X, the company reluctantly agreed to adhere to India’s demands to prevent the platform's potential shutdown in the country, highlighting that keeping the platform accessible was crucial for the Indian public’s access to information. The statement further outlined that X faced restrictions on disclosing the details of the executive orders, citing legal constraints. X called for transparency in such matters, stressing the importance of public knowledge regarding government actions to ensure accountability.

This legal action comes as tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified following recent military engagements. On the night of the conflict, Pakistan launched drone attacks targeting multiple cities across Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, including Srinagar, Jammu, and Amritsar. However, the Indian armed forces successfully intercepted and neutralized the threat.