India restricts cartoonists' Instagram accounts and posts under its IT Rules

Cartoonist Satish Acharya's Instagram profile was blocked in India from Sep 28 to Oct 6, and again for three days this week. Meta said it may temporarily restrict accounts to comply with India's IT Rules.

Orders, Mar to Jul

195,000 blocking orders

Government agencies sent nearly 195,000 blocking and content-restriction orders to platforms between March and July, according to a right-to-information request.

The government says the rules help tackle unlawful material. Artists and free-speech advocates warn they can stifle political satire.

We are among the default opposition.

— Sandeep Adhwaryu, cartoonist