Twitter has been embroiled in a legal battle with the Indian government for some time, with some 45,191 Indian accounts banned in July due to content bans. In its monthly compliance report filed today, the microblogging platform explained that the measure was taken because users violated the guidelines.
Twitter has reportedly suspended 42,825 accounts for promoting content related to non-consensual nudity, child sexual exploitation and similar content in India. In addition, the platform blocked another set of 2,366 accounts that promoted terrorism – as explained in the monthly compliance report under the new IT rules for 2021.
From June 26 to July 25, the Weibo platform received 874 complaints nationwide through its local grievance mechanism and took action on 70 complaints.
In June, Twitter suspended more than 43,140 Indian user accounts.
“While we welcome everyone to express their opinions on our platform, we will not tolerate harassment, threats, dehumanization or the use of fear to silence the voices of others,” the report said on Twitter.
Under the new IT rules for 2021, large digital and social media platforms with more than 5 million users must publish monthly compliance reports.
Twitter receives complaints related to account verification, account access, or seeking assistance or information about the account or Twitter’s enforcement efforts through its Indian Ombudsman channel.
Additionally, Twitter handled 124 complaints involving appeals against account suspensions.
“These have been resolved and appropriate responses have been issued. After reviewing the details of the situation, we have not lifted any of these account suspensions,” the company said.
The compliance report comes as Twitter’s former security chief, whistleblower Peiter Zatko, claims the Indian government forced the platform to “hire a government agent on its payroll” and “grant access to sensitive user data,” a move that The claim was dismissed by Twitter.
In May, Twitter challenged the Indian government’s order to remove some content from its platform in the Karnataka High Court.