Once again, Twitter account of Pakistan government withheld in India

The Twitter account belonging to the Pakistan government has been withheld in India. Reportedly, this is second such incident in past few months.

The account was earlier withheld in July but was reactivated and became visible. Today, the account was withheld again.

While accessing the Twitter account, one can see the message, "@GovtofPakistan account has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand."

As per Twitter guidelines, Twitter takes such actions in response to valid legal demands, for example a court order. Currently, the Twitter feed of the @GovtofPakistan handle is invisible to Indian users.

Earlier, the Information and Broadcast Ministry blocked 16 YouTube news channels which included six Pakistan-based channels on accounts of spreading misinformation associated with India's national security, public order and foreign relations.

If Twitter receives a properly scoped and valid request from an authorized entity, it may become necessary to withhold access to certain content in a particular country, from time to time.

The social media giant said that such withholdings are limited to the special jurisdiction that issues the valid legal demand or the place where the content violates the local laws.

Twitter in June had banned official accounts of Pakistan Embassies in Turkey, Iran, Egypt and the UK. Later in August, India blocked eight YouTube news channels, one out of which was operating from Pakistan. It had also blocked a Facebook account for publishing "fake, anti-India" content online.