• X plans to appeal an Indian court ruling on a content removal system.
• The system enables over two million police officers to issue takedown requests.
• Critics argue it undermines free speech and due process.
• India's government claims it addresses unlawful online content.
• The appeal reflects ongoing tension between X and Indian authorities.

Social media platform X announced its intention to appeal an Indian court order that permits over two million police officers to issue arbitrary takedown requests through a secretive online portal named Sahyog. The company's statement emphasized its commitment to "defend free expression," following the High Court of Karnataka's ruling that deemed X's legal challenge without merit, according to Reuters, Dawn, and TRT Global.

The Sahyog system allows officers to mandate content removal based only on allegations of "illegality," lacking judicial review or due process, endangering platforms with potential criminal liability for non-compliance. X has previously criticized the Indian government’s approach, framing it as a form of censorship while the Modi administration asserts that the revised system is necessary to combat unlawful content and enhance online accountability, according to Reuters, Dawn, and TRT Global.

Elon Musk, owner of X and known for his strong advocacy for free speech, has a history of clashing with global authorities over compliance and content removal expectations. The Indian legal challenge signifies broader tensions surrounding tightened internet regulations in the world's most populous nation, particularly as Modi's government continues to enhance online regulations, allowing multiple officials to submit directly to tech firms through a new website initiated in October 2023, according to Reuters, Dawn, and TRT Global.