A major Muslim news account on Instagram has been blocked in India after a government request, according to the account's founder. The move comes amid tensions between India and Pakistan.
Indians on Instagram wanting to see the @Muslim page, which has 6.7 million followers see a message reading, "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."
Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, who founded the page, said Wednesday that he began receiving reports from followers in India who were unable to access the account. "Meta has blocked the @Muslim account by legal request of the Indian government. This is censorship," he said in a statement according to The Hindu.
The platform, owned by Meta, did not respond directly to the claim but pointed to its general policy on content restriction. According to its website, Meta may limit access to content "when governments believe material on its platforms goes against local law."
The ban a wider pattern of online restrictions as tensions mount between the two nuclear neighbors. In recent weeks, India has blocked access to Instagram profiles of Pakistani public figures such as former Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan, actors Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam, and multiple national cricket players.
India has also removed access to several Pakistani YouTube channels, accusing them of spreading “provocative” content. The blocked material reportedly includes coverage from Pakistani news outlets.
The removal of the @Muslim account was first reported by the tech publication User Magazine, run by tech reporter Taylor Lorenz.
Al-Khatahtbeh issued an apology to his Indian followers and said, "When platforms and countries try to silence media, it tells us that we are doing our job in holding those in power accountable." He added, "We will continue to document the truth and stand out firmly for justice," calling on Meta to restore access to the page within India.
Indians on Instagram wanting to see the @Muslim page, which has 6.7 million followers see a message reading, "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."
Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, who founded the page, said Wednesday that he began receiving reports from followers in India who were unable to access the account. "Meta has blocked the @Muslim account by legal request of the Indian government. This is censorship," he said in a statement according to The Hindu.
The platform, owned by Meta, did not respond directly to the claim but pointed to its general policy on content restriction. According to its website, Meta may limit access to content "when governments believe material on its platforms goes against local law."
The ban a wider pattern of online restrictions as tensions mount between the two nuclear neighbors. In recent weeks, India has blocked access to Instagram profiles of Pakistani public figures such as former Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan, actors Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam, and multiple national cricket players.
India has also removed access to several Pakistani YouTube channels, accusing them of spreading “provocative” content. The blocked material reportedly includes coverage from Pakistani news outlets.
The removal of the @Muslim account was first reported by the tech publication User Magazine, run by tech reporter Taylor Lorenz.
Al-Khatahtbeh issued an apology to his Indian followers and said, "When platforms and countries try to silence media, it tells us that we are doing our job in holding those in power accountable." He added, "We will continue to document the truth and stand out firmly for justice," calling on Meta to restore access to the page within India.
