Elon Musk has initiated legal action against the Indian government over content regulation and censorship concerning his social media platform, X, previously known as Twitter. This development is unexpected as Musk is simultaneously seeking to establish a presence for Tesla Inc. and Starlink in India.
The platform has accused the Indian government of issuing arbitrary or erratic takedown notices. In response, X has petitioned the high court in the southern state of Karnataka, seeking to compel the federal government to comply with national laws when issuing such orders.
This lawsuit highlights the increasing friction between internet companies and the Indian government’s stringent regulatory measures, which impact social media firms like Meta Platforms Inc. and Google, potentially including jail terms for staff members.
The situation also aligns with escalating tensions between the United States and India. Former President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on India starting April 2, criticizing the country for its high tariffs on U.S. imports.
Despite being a relatively small market for U.S. companies, India, with its population of over a billion and approximately 700 million smartphone users, is seen as a crucial market for growth.
Musk is working towards launching the Starlink satellite internet service in India and is awaiting regulatory approvals. The telecommunications minister has indicated the country’s need for satellite internet, suggesting potential support for Musk’s venture.
Tesla is also preparing to make its entry into the Indian market, with plans to ship several thousand cars to a port near Mumbai in the coming months.
The Indian home ministry has not responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit, while the chief official in the country’s technology ministry has declined to comment, citing the ongoing court proceedings.
Previously, in 2023, prior to Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, the Karnataka High Court had fined the social media platform and mandated compliance with the state’s takedown orders.
