The Tamil Nadu Police Cyber Crime Wing has issued a formal takedown notice to X Corp, demanding the suspension and blocking of more than 20 accounts. Authorities identified the accounts as sources of what they described as “provocative and politically sensitive remarks” that could potentially incite public unrest.
The notice invoked Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act and the IT Rules, 2021, with police arguing that the flagged content could disturb public order, encourage unlawful assemblies, or lead to damage to property or life. They also cited Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
DMK-linked accounts reportedly targeted
According to reports, most of the flagged accounts belong to DMK supporters who had shared videos and commentary critical of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Chief Minister’s Office. The action follows a period of intense online debate since Vijay took office, and opposition voices have characterised it as an attempt to stifle political dissent.
The police directed X to remove or disable access to the flagged URLs and to take steps to prevent similar content from spreading, warning that non-compliance could cost the platform its intermediary liability protection and expose it to direct legal action.
A short compliance window
Calling it a matter of “grave concern” for public order, the Cyber Crime Wing sought a compliance report from X within three hours of the notice. The case has drawn attention to how platforms navigate such local directives, and given the high-profile political nature of the accounts involved, observers say the outcome could carry wider implications for online speech in the state.
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