Late Saturday, the official X account of Reuters, a global news agency, was blocked in India. Users trying to access the account saw a message stating, "@Reuters has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand". The restriction appears specific to India, as the account remains accessible from other countries. The X account of Reuters World was also inaccessible in India. However, several affiliated handles, including Reuters Tech News, Reuters Fact Check, Reuters Pictures, Reuters Asia, and Reuters China, continue to function normally in the country.

As of now, neither Reuters nor X has issued an official statement regarding the exact reason for the block. X's guidelines state that accounts or posts can be withheld in a specific region if the company receives a valid legal request, such as a court order or a directive from local authorities. These actions are typically taken to comply with local laws. It is currently unclear whether the block is linked to a particular report, legal dispute, or government order, and it is also unknown whether the restriction is temporary or permanent.

The move has sparked reactions on social media, with users questioning the basis of the action and awaiting further clarity. Reuters is the media arm of Thomson Reuters, a global news provider employing over 2,600 journalists across more than 200 locations worldwide. Its X account shares breaking news and updates on politics, business, and global affairs. The development has raised questions about press freedom and transparency.

The blocking of Reuters' X account comes amid ongoing tensions between X and the Indian government over content takedowns. The Indian government has previously used legal demands to compel X to remove content that it deems to be illegal or harmful. It remains uncertain whether the block is temporary or permanent, and there is no clarity yet on the nature of the legal demand involved.