Fraudulent Takedown Requests Target Indian Digital Rights Groups
SFLC.in reports fake police takedown requests aimed at suppressing digital rights content in India.
Why it matters: Legal professionals handling free speech, privacy, and intermediary liability laws should monitor these developments impacting digital rights advocacy and content regulation in India.
- On October 29, 2026, SFLC.in received a legal notice allegedly from RSS demanding it stop documenting censorship.
- On November 3, Twitter (X) flagged 42 URLs tied to SFLC.in, IFF, and related accounts, following Delhi Police takedown requests.
- Requests cited criminal defamation under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and intermediary liability via the Information Technology Act.
- On November 6, X told Delhi High Court these were fraudulent requests by an impersonator, not the Delhi Police.
The Software Freedom Law Center India (SFLC.in) and Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) are confronting false takedown attempts targeting their online advocacy for digital rights in India.
On October 29, 2026, SFLC.in received a legal notice claiming to be from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), demanding they cease documenting censorship efforts and criticism of government content-blocking orders. The authenticity of this notice remains unverified.
Following this, on November 3, Twitter (rebranded X) notified SFLC.in about 42 URLs flagged for removal, linked to SFLC.in, IFF, and the @geoblockedindia account. These takedown requests, purportedly from Delhi Police, cited provisions from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on criminal defamation and intermediary liability rules under India’s Information Technology Act, alleging hate speech and safety risks.
However, by November 6, X disclosed to the Delhi High Court that these takedown notices were fraudulent, submitted by an impersonator not affiliated with the Delhi Police. X’s legal counsel confirmed no action was taken and that a complaint was filed to trace the impostor.
SFLC.in has formally challenged these requests, highlighting the dangers posed by unverified notices in curtailing digital rights advocacy. This case exemplifies the challenges faced by civil society groups amid ambiguous legal enforcement and growing attempts to control online expression.
Legal professionals focused on privacy, cybersecurity, international law, and intermediary liability should closely watch these developments to understand how similar tactics may affect digital rights and content moderation frameworks.
By the numbers:
- 42 URLs flagged for removal — linked to digital rights groups on Twitter (X)
- October 29, 2026 — date SFLC.in received alleged RSS legal notice
- November 6, 2026 — Twitter (X) revealed takedown requests were fraudulent
What's next: Delhi Police and Twitter (X) investigations are ongoing to identify the impostor behind the fraudulent takedown requests.