Main and World Reuters X Handles Withheld
In late-night development on July 6, 2025, users across India discovered that Reuters’s primary X/@Twitter accounts—@Reuters and @ReutersWorld—were withheld from access with a notice citing a ‘legal demand’. Notably, over 30 regional Reuters accounts (such as Reuters Tech News and Reuters Fact Check) remain accessible. 1
Government Responds: No Fresh Order Issued
India’s Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) clarified it issued no recent request to block Reuters’s handles. Instead, officials noted that the action stemmed from an old ‘Operation Sindoor’ takedown list from May, which was delayed in effecting. MeitY said it’s in talks with X to restore access promptly. 2
What Is Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor refers to an Indian government campaign in May 2025 targeting numerous social media accounts under content regulation laws. Although Reuters was listed then, its account wasn’t withheld at that time—X only recently applied the restriction, possibly due to a technical or procedural delay. 3
X’s Withhold Policy Explained
According to X’s policy, an account can be withheld from a specific country if a valid legal request—such as a court ruling or regulatory mandate—is received. Such takedowns are geographically limited and do not remove the account globally. Users in India saw the notice “@Reuters has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand.” 4
Timeline of Key Events
- May 7, 2025: Operation Sindoor orders list includes Reuters handles.
- May 2025: X receives takedown requests—initial action not taken.
- Late July 5 or early July 6: X withholds Reuters primary and world handles in India.
- July 6, afternoon: MeitY denies new order, engages with X to resolve the issue. 5
Importance & Implications
This incident highlights India’s evolving legal framework for social media under the 2021 Social Media Ethics Code, which mandates content removal within 36 hours of requests. It underscores ongoing tensions between global platforms and national regulatory regimes. Reuters, with 2,600 journalists in 165 countries, has yet to comment publicly. 6
Trivia & Quiz Time
- How many Reuters X accounts remain accessible in India? Over 30 regional handles.
- Which ministry denied issuing a fresh block order? MeitY (Ministry of Electronics & IT).
- When was Operation Sindoor initiated? May 7, 2025.
Source: Theprint