Karnataka High Court Dismisses X’s Petition Against Mandatory Onboarding on Government Portal

Bengaluru, Sept 2025: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by social media platform X challenging its mandatory registration on the government’s collaboration portal and questioning the interpretation of Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act. The bench, headed by Justice Nagaprasanna, delivered the verdict, asserting that the Centre has the authority to issue orders to block information under the IT Act.

Justice Nagaprasanna emphasized that “social media must be regulated” and clarified that freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution is not absolute but subject to reasonable restrictions as provided under Article 19(2). The court highlighted the dangers of unrestrained speech, stating, “Uncontrolled speech under the guise of freedom causes anarchy,” and noted that no platform can claim “anarchic freedom” in India’s digital space.

Addressing X’s arguments, the bench observed that the Sahyog Portal serves as a medium for collaboration between citizens and intermediaries, and the petitioner cannot seek exemption as a foreign entity. The court further clarified that American jurisprudence on freedom of expression cannot be directly applied in India, emphasizing that the regulation of online speech has evolved in line with technological advancements.

The court remarked, “No social media platform can view the Indian market as a mere playground. Every sovereign nation regulates social media, and India should do so as well.” It noted that while X complies with similar regulatory frameworks in the United States, it had resisted India’s legal requirements.

The order stressed the importance of legal compliance, stating, “Our society is governed by laws. The system is the structure of democracy. The petitioner’s platform is subject to regulations in the United States, yet it refuses to comply with similar laws in India. The petition is dismissed. The application for intervention is also dismissed.”

This ruling reinforces the Indian government’s authority to regulate social media platforms and mandates their cooperation with government collaboration mechanisms. The verdict comes amid ongoing debates over digital governance and content moderation in India, highlighting the judiciary’s stance that freedom of expression must be balanced with societal interests and legal obligations.