X to appeal Karnataka HC ruling on Sahyog portal

X (formerly Twitter) has announced it will appeal the Karnataka High Court’s decision that upheld the Indian government’s Sahyog portal — a system X says allows “millions” of police officers and other officials to issue takedown orders without judicial review or due process.

Summary

The Karnataka HC dismissed X’s petition on Sept 24, 2025, allowing the government portal to remain operational. X called the ruling “deeply concerned,” arguing the portal circumvents Section 69A of the IT Act, risks arbitrary removals, and imposes criminal liability on platforms for non-compliance.

Key dates & quotes

• July 29, 2025 — Karnataka HC reserved the order.
• Sept 24, 2025 — Karnataka HC dismissed X’s plea.
• X statement — The ruling “allow[s] millions of police officers to issue arbitrary takedown orders through the secretive Sahyog portal… We will appeal this order to defend free expression.”
• Justice M. Nagaprasanna — The court said social media “cannot be left in a state of anarchic freedom” and stressed the need for regulation to prevent misuse.

Why this matters

Supporters of the Sahyog portal say it helps agencies act swiftly against illegal content. Critics — including X — warn it lacks due process safeguards and could be used to silence legitimate speech. The case raises broader questions about platform liability, free expression, and how governments balance safety with rights online.

More info

Read a detailed report here: Bar & Bench

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