Instagram restores LiveLaw’s reel on ECI affidavit after restricting it in India over legal request
Instagram restored a reel posted by legal news outlet LiveLaw after restricting access to it for users in India. The reel explained the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) position in an affidavit before the Supreme Court. Instagram’s notice said: “We received a legal request to restrict this content.”
The restriction affected an explainer about a public court filing in proceedings concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. LiveLaw said that the video contained no critical commentary and that the same video remained available on YouTube.
What did Instagram disclose?
LiveLaw reported that Instagram had not explained which law the reel allegedly violated or disclosed the nature of the request. The notice names no requester, legal provision, order or reference number.
LiveLaw’s report was updated on October 27, 2026, to state that Instagram had restored the reel. The report does not say whether the platform explained its decision to restore the video or provided further details about the original request.
Which legal route was used?
India has separate legal routes that can lead to content being restricted online. Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 provides for government directions to block public access to information on specified grounds. The Blocking Rules, 2009 set out the related procedure.
Section 79(3)(b) of the Act addresses intermediary liability when a platform fails to act after receiving notice from the government or its agencies that information is unlawful. MediaNama has reported that the Sahyog Portal routes requests under this provision.
Instagram’s notice cites neither provision. The available material therefore does not establish which legal route, if any, led to the restriction.
Also read:
- NoCap asks Kerala High Court to make authorities produce the order behind its Facebook block
- ‘Legal requirements’, no authority named: What Instagram told a comedian about her blocked reel
The post Instagram restores LiveLaw’s reel on ECI affidavit after restricting it in India over legal request appeared first on MEDIANAMA.
This content is published by MediaNama and has not been created or edited by Hello Headlines. View original
