Order To Close More Than 8000 X Accounts: Spreading False News Against India, Among Them International News Organizations

The Indian government has ordered the closure of more than 8000 X accounts that spread false news amid tensions with Pakistan. These also include accounts of international news organizations.

X has made this claim through its Global Governance Affairs account. The site said that we do not agree with this, such posts and accounts will not be visible only in India.

Global Government Affairs tweeted on its official X account that the Indian government has ordered the blocking of accounts and posts that are spreading fake news, propaganda for Pakistan and anti-India content (text, images and videos).

The government has indicated that this step has been taken to enhance cyber security and national security. Some accounts are said to be responsible for spreading instability and misinformation in India.

Order to remove Pakistani content from OTT platform

Earlier on Thursday, the Central Government had ordered all OTT (over-the-top) and streaming platforms to remove content related to Pakistan with immediate effect.

In the advisory of the ministry, Pakistani content has been banned on national security grounds. This has been done under the IT Act 2021.

OTT platforms will be forced to remove all types of Pakistani content

After the order, everything including all web series and movies produced in Pakistan, subscription and free, all types of content will be removed.

Pakistani music, albums and songs of singers like Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan available on streaming services will also be removed.

Podcasts, audio programs or any voice content of Pakistani origin available on Indian platforms will also be removed.

Television shows, documentaries, shows of Pakistani TV channels streaming on OTT have also been banned.

The Indian government had banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels

Earlier on 27 April, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India had banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. According to government sources, these channels are accused of spreading inflammatory, communal and misleading news against India, Indian Army and security agencies.

Ban on Pakistani artists also

FWICE (Film Federation of Western Cine Employees) has recently written to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting clarifying that if an Indian works with Pakistani artistes, a case of treason will be registered against him. Also, a person working with Pakistani artists will be blacklisted from the Indian industry.

Amidst the controversies, it seems that Fawad Khan’s film Abir Gulal will no longer hit the Indian screen. Haniya Aamir is also being replaced with the film Sardar 3.

The ban started after the Uri attack

Since the Uri attack in 2016, all Pakistani artists were banned from working in India. This is the reason why artists like Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan were forced to leave many Indian films. In the year 2023, the Bombay High Court rejected the petition to ban Pakistani artists, saying that artists should not be punished due to political tension.

This was the reason why Pakistani artists once again started getting work in Hindi cinema. Haniya Aamir worked with Diljit Dosanjh in the film Sardar 3, while Fawad Khan was about to return to Bollywood with the film Abir Gulal.

In April – May, X banned 2.30 lakh Indian accounts

Elon Musk-owned company X Corp banned 230,892 accounts in India between May 26 and May 25. Of these, 2,29,925 accounts have been banned for child sexual abuse and spreading non-consensual nudity. Meanwhile, 967 accounts have been closed for spreading terrorism.

Under the new IT rules, 2021, in its monthly report X reported that during 26 April to 25 May it processed 17,580 complaints made by X users in India. During this time, the company also resolved 76 complaints of account suspension.

In March-April, the company suspended 1.84 lakh accounts

Earlier, between 25 April and 26 March, X had closed 1,84,241 accounts in India. Of these, 1,303 accounts were closed for the purpose of supporting terrorism. With this, the total number of accounts closed between 25 March and 26 February was 213,862. Of these, there were 1,235 accounts which were closed for the purpose of supporting terrorism in the country.

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