Sahyog Portal: India's Rising Online Censorship Tool

The Sahyog portal has quickly emerged as a significant tool for online censorship in India, marking its first operational year with an impressive number of blocking orders. According to data from the Union Home Ministry, over 2,300 blocking orders were issued to various online platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube, from October 2024 to October 2025. On average, this translates to about six orders per day, indicating a robust mechanism for content regulation.

WhatsApp was the primary target, receiving 1,392 blocking orders, accounting for a substantial portion of the total. Facebook followed with 255 orders, and Instagram received 169. This trend underscores the government's intensified efforts to monitor and control online content deemed offensive or unlawful. The rise in blocking orders reflects a growing trend of online censorship that raises concerns regarding freedom of expression in India's digital landscape.

Data from the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) reveals that the Meta family of services, which includes WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, accounted for over 78% of the total blocking orders. YouTube and Telegram also received significant numbers, with 176 and 123 orders, respectively. These figures suggest that government agencies are becoming increasingly adept at using the Sahyog portal as a means to enforce content regulations across multiple platforms.

The Sahyog portal was operationalized to streamline the process of issuing blocking orders, which were previously sent via email to individual platforms. This centralized approach has allowed for a more coordinated response to online content that the government considers inappropriate. Moreover, the portal has onboarded over 118 intermediaries, indicating its expanding influence over online content regulation.

A notable aspect of this trend was the spike in blocking orders during Operation Sindoor, which aimed to counter online propaganda believed to originate from Pakistan. This operation exemplified the government's proactive stance on managing digital content, including blocking accounts associated with international news organizations.

Despite the rapid increase in blocking requests, concerns persist regarding the implications for freedom of expression. Critics argue that such measures could lead to excessive censorship and a chilling effect on open discourse. Recent legal actions, including a lawsuit filed by X (formerly Twitter) against the government, highlight ongoing debates about the balance between national security and individual rights in the digital age.

As the Sahyog portal continues to evolve, it remains crucial for citizens to engage in discussions about online censorship and its impact on free speech in India. With growing governmental control over digital platforms, the future of online expression hangs in a delicate balance.