Twitter suspends 500 accounts under government fire; no action on handles of journalists, activists, and politicians

Twitter has told the government that it has permanently suspended more than 500 accounts for violations of Twitter’s Rules but it has not taken “any action” on accounts of news media entities, journalists, activists, and politicians as that would violate “fundamental right to free expression under Indian law.”

Twitter also said that it believes that the “actions it has been directed to” take are not “consistent with Indian law”.

The microblogging platform has “withheld a portion of the accounts identified in the blocking orders” within India only, the company said listing the actions taken since January 26, it has come under fire over the issue of blocking handles said to be fanning farmer unrest.