# IT Act takedown orders lack free speech safeguards, says lawyer 2026-08-13T09:43:20+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Technology lawyer Deepak Singh has warned that India’s social media takedown framework lacks adequate safeguards for free speech. In an interview with Times Now News, he said current mechanisms under the IT Act fail to provide advance notice, reasoned orders or an independent review to affected users. Singh said platforms often over-comply within tight deadlines to avoid losing safe-harbour immunity, leading to removal of lawful content including satire and political speech. He called for a constitutionally sound framework that ensures notice, judicial oversight and graded compliance timelines. Emergency cases may justify immediate action, but routine matters must allow due process, he added. The concerns come as ongoing judicial challenges question government use of Section 79(3)(b) for content takedowns without following due process for the underlying offence. ## Coverage - timesnownews.com Tags: free speech, IT Act, judicial oversight, safe harbour, social media takedowns Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/it-act-takedown-orders-lack-free-speech-safeguards-says-lawyer/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/it-act-takedown-orders-lack-free-speech-safeguards-says-lawyer/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.