MediaNama’s Take
The unexplained blocking of Linktree once again exposes India’s broken regime for internet takedowns. Users across multiple ISPs cannot access the service, yet the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) claims it never issued an order, and Department of Telecommunications (DoT) refuses to clarify. This pattern of denial and silence is no anomaly; it has become the norm in India’s censorship playbook.
The IT Rules, 2009, lays down a clear procedure for blocking, requiring examination by a committee, approval by the IT Secretary, and, a review within 48 hours in case of emergencies.
However, takedown orders lately are secret and platforms rarely get a chance to contest. The result: an expanding zone of unaccountable censorship, where global platforms, journalists, and creators find themselves erased without explanation.
This opacity corrodes trust in governance and undermines India’s claim of being a digital democracy. In recent months, authorities restricted The Wire, Reuters, and thousands of X accounts without explanation, and then restored them after a while.
Linktree’s case is simply the latest reminder: unless transparency and due process become non-negotiable, blocking powers will continue to operate as blunt instruments of control: beyond scrutiny, appeal, and legitimacy.
What’s the news?
According to The Hindu, the “link in bio” service Linktree remains blocked for users in India across various networks, including Jio, Tikona, ACT Fibernet, and Asianet. MeitY told the publication it had no record of issuing a blocking order for Linktree, and the DoT, which conveys blocking directives to telecom and internet service providers, declined to comment.
Linktree pages are still not loading in India. Notably, the company has not issued a public statement addressing access in the country.
What Is Linktree?
Linktree is an Australian company founded in 2016 whose service allows users to share multiple links through a single URL, addressing a limitation on social media platforms, such as Instagram, that permit limited links in a profile bio.
The platform operates on a freemium model: offering free basic link-sharing functions and charging users for premium features such as advanced analytics, customisation, and commerce tools.
Linktree has grown exponentially over the years, and today has over 70 million users. It is valued at around $1.3 billion after its last Series B funding round in 2022, where the company raised $110 million.
Internet Takedowns And Indian Law
In India, internet takedowns operate under a framework led by the Information Technology Act (IT Act), 2000, and the rules framed under it. Section 69A of the IT Act empowers the Central Government to block public access to information on the internet if it considers such action necessary in the interest of India’s sovereignty, integrity, defence, security, friendly relations…
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