Kerala HC directs Meta to unblock journalist’s Facebook account
The Kerala High Court has ordered Meta to restore a journalist's Facebook account that was blocked following instructions from local police. The court ruled that blocking an entire account for specific objectionable posts is an overreach of police power.
Why it matters
This decision sets a legal precedent regarding the balance between state security, police authority, and digital freedom of speech in India.
The Kerala High Court recently directed Meta to unblock the Facebook account of journalist N. Madhavankutty, observing that an entire social media account cannot be blocked for a few objectionable posts.
Justice Ziyadh Rahman directed the Meta grievance officer in charge of the case to enable Mr. Madhavankutty’s Facebook account. If any competent police officer under the Director General of Police, Vellayambalam, identified any objectionable content in Mr. Madhavankutty’s profile, the grievance officer could temporarily remove access to such content without affecting the operations of his account, the court said.
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