A recent comment made by a lawyer representing Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has sparked a new conflict between the tech giant and the Indian government.
What Happened
The lawyer, K. G. Raghavan, stated during a court hearing in India that every government official had the authority to issue content takedown orders, referring to them as “Tom, Dick, and Harry”. This remark was made during a hearing on X’s challenge to a government-run website, which the company claims is a censorship portal allowing officials to issue content removal orders.
The Indian Government’s Stance
The Indian government, however, contends that the website is simply a means to promptly inform companies of their due diligence obligations. This remark has further fueled the ongoing dispute between X and the Indian government over content removal requests.
Implications for Musk’s Ventures
India is a crucial market for Musk’s various ventures, including X, Starlink, and Tesla. Tesla has been preparing to launch in India, with the Model Y already spotted being tested in Mumbai. The outcome of this ongoing dispute could have significant implications for Musk’s business interests in India.
Background
This is not the first time X, previously known as Twitter, has been embroiled in a dispute over content moderation. In 2021, the company was at odds with the Indian government over non-compliance with legal orders to block certain tweets. Although X eventually complied, it remains entangled in a court battle related to this move.
Recent Incidents
Earlier this year, X faced a massive data breach that exposed the data of millions of accounts, raising concerns over the security measures in place at X. Meanwhile, Musk’s other company, Tesla, is gearing up for its India debut, making the resolution of this dispute crucial for Musk’s business interests in the country.
Key Points
- X is challenging a government-run website in India, claiming it is a censorship portal
- The Indian government contends that the website is a means to inform companies of their due diligence obligations
- The dispute has significant implications for Musk’s business interests in India
- X has been involved in previous disputes over content moderation and has faced a massive data breach earlier this year