[REVISION HISTORY]
India social media crackdown
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2026-08-07 07:34 UTC → 2026-08-07 17:42 UTC ·
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On 6 August 2026, Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, Kejriwal said Meta Platforms had restricted his Instagram account in India at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He linked Modi’s request, linking the action to a wider government scrutiny probe of Meta over alleged child‑sexual‑abuse material and deep‑fake content, content and urged urging other users facing limits to join pressure on the company. The following day, after India’s new social‑media law took effect – a rule that obliges effect—requiring platforms to remove any government‑flagged post within three hours – Kejriwal hours—Kejriwal accused the legislation of being designed to silence criticism of Modi and the ruling party. He cited recent youth protests at Jantar Mantar and university campuses, warning that the law dissent would be used to delete dissenting content deleted while allowing abusive material to could remain. Together, the two reports illustrate an escalating concern among opposition figures Later reporting on 7 August noted that the Indian government is increasing its influence over social‑media platforms, moving from isolated account restrictions law has amplified youth anger. Kejriwal warned that suppressing free expression will backfire and pointed to broader legal mechanisms selective enforcement: posts on paper leaks, ethanol policy and corruption are targeted, whereas abusive content aimed at curbing online criticism. women receives no action. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and students protesting exam irregularities in Jharkhand also called for dialogue, highlighting broader tensions between the government and India’s young population.
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