Social media giant Twitter suffered a major setback on Friday, June 30, with the Karnataka High Court dismissing its plea challenging many of the Centre’s directives on blocking unlawful content in a move that bolstered India’s position that big tech was obligated to comply with national laws. The HC also slapped a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the micro-blogging site, close on the heels of Twitter founder and former boss Jack Dorsey accusing India of pressuring the group into taking down unfavourable handles and content.
“I am convinced with the contention of the Centre that they have powers to block tweets and block accounts. Your client was given notices and your client did not comply. Punishment for non-compliance is seven years imprisonment and unlimited fine. That also did not deter your client. You have not given any reason why you delayed compliance for more than a year. Then all of a sudden you comply and approach the court. You are not a farmer but a billion dollar company,” a single-judge Bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit ruled in a 109-page judgment.