US Report Accuses India of Politically Motivated Social Media Takedowns, Labels Them Non-Tariff Trade Barriers

Washington, April 3, 2026 — The United States has expressed serious concerns over India’s handling of digital platforms, stating that certain orders to remove social media content appear to be driven by “political motivations.”
In its annual 2026 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) classified these takedown requests as potential non-tariff trade barriers affecting American technology companies.
The report, submitted to President Donald Trump and Congress on March 31, 2026, highlights a significant increase in takedown orders issued to US social media firms since the implementation of India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules).
“Since 2021, U.S. firms have been subject to an increasing number of takedown requests for content and user accounts related to issues that appear politically motivated,” the USTR report stated. It also criticized “impractical compliance deadlines and takedown protocols” that create operational risks and uncertainty for American platforms.
The document further noted India’s frequent localised internet shutdowns, describing them as measures that restrict access to information and services, disrupt commercial operations, and impede trade in the digital economy. These issues, along with data localisation requirements and other digital regulations, have been grouped under broader concerns about non-tariff barriers to US services exports.
The USTR report forms part of Washington’s wider assessment of “unfair trade practices” in multiple countries and outlines how the Trump Administration plans to address such barriers to ensure a level playing field for American workers and businesses.