X Disagreeing With Govt Order Still Complying? Nothing New For Elon Musk-Owned App

While pulling the posts, X said that it disagrees with the action and believes in free speech.

X said, “In compliance with the orders, we will withhold these accounts and posts in India alone; however, we disagree with these actions and maintain that freedom of expression should extend to these posts.”

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Social media platform X recently said that it withheld some posts in India containing political speech from elected politicians, political parties, and candidates for office after it received the order of takedown from the election commission. Elon Musk-owned platform notably said that it is withholding the posts but it does not agree with the order. X said, "We call on the Election Commission to publish all of its takedown orders going forward."

X emphasised that it believes in freedom of speech.

https://t.co/iYKxeXeE7o

— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) April 16, 2024

This is not the first time though when X was asked to remove something from its platform and it disagreed but still chose to comply with the order. Earlier in February, the Indian government allegedly asked X to block certain accounts and posts on its platform. The order by the government carried the mention of punishment as well if X failed to comply. As per the order, the failure to comply would result in “potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment,” said X’s global government affairs team in a post.

X added, “In compliance with the orders, we will withhold these accounts and posts in India alone; however, we disagree with these actions and maintain that freedom of expression should extend to these posts.”

The Indian government has issued executive orders requiring X to act on specific accounts and posts, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment.

In compliance with the orders, we will withhold these accounts and posts in India alone; however,…

— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) February 21, 2024

The Indian government last year said that the platform has a very low compliance rate with the orders that are issued. X is not the only company to comply with an order despite it disagreeing with it.

Apple Pulls WhatsApp, Meta From China

Tech giant Apple recently removed Meta Platforms' popular messaging apps WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China. This action comes following directives from the Chinese government, citing national security concerns. Apple, in a communication to Reuters, confirmed that the Cyberspace Administration of China has ordered the removal of these apps from the Apple Store specific to China.

The company stated, "We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree."