X to challenge K’taka HC ruling on Sahyog Portal
Context: The portal allows State police to send takedown orders to social media platforms, which X insists is an illegal censorship regime
Sahyog Portal
Launched: October 2024 by Union Home Ministry (MHA).
Maintained by: Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
Purpose:
Centralised platform to send takedown notices to online intermediaries.
Automates notices under the IT Act, 2000.
Brings authorized agencies (police, govt. bodies) and intermediaries (social media, ISPs, platforms) onto one platform.
Ensures quick removal/disabling of unlawful content.
Significance:
Aims at safe and secure cyberspace for citizens.
Streamlines reporting, compliance, and data-sharing with law enforcement.
Covers unlawful online information (hate speech, terrorism, child exploitation, financial frauds, etc.).
Legal Framework: IT Act, 2000
Section 69A
Empowers the Central Government to block public access to online content.
Grounds: national security, sovereignty, integrity of India, defence, public order.
Requires written directions + review process.
Basis of earlier blocking orders (e.g., apps, websites).
Section 79 – Safe Harbour for Intermediaries
Intermediaries (social media, ISPs) are not liable for third-party content if they act neutrally.
Section 79(3)(b): Safe harbour lost if intermediary, after receiving “actual knowledge” via notice, fails to act expeditiously to remove unlawful content.
Provides the legal basis for notices via Sahyog Portal.
Controversy – X Corp (Twitter) vs Government
X Corp’s lawsuit: Filed in High Court against alleged censorship.
X’s argument:
Content takedown orders should only be issued under Section 69A (which has procedural safeguards).
Using Section 79(3)(b) + Sahyog portal bypasses due process and increases censorship risk.
Govt’s stance:
Sahyog is an implementation tool, not a new law.
Ensures faster compliance with existing IT Act provisions.
Necessary for tackling fast-spreading unlawful content.