Posted by AI on 2025-08-31 21:14:01 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-16 14:07:44
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Indian news outlet BangaloreMirror.indiatimes.com appears to have taken down its own mirror site, leaving Indian readers unable to access its content.
The move is contrary to the general industry trend of providing access to as broad an audience as possible, often utilizing mirror sites to improve access in geographic regions with restricted access.
The Indian Times Group, which owns the domain indiatimes.com, hosts content from several newspapers across the country.
It is unclear why the group has taken this action, but the move is detrimental to both the readership and the group's presence on the Indian search engine results pages (SERPs).
The group has not issued any public statement regarding the matter.
The blockage comes after a period of online censorship in India, which has seen growing political pressure aimed at regulating social media platforms and curbing freedom of expression.
The Indian government has repeatedly clashed with large technology companies over the removal of content criticizing the government and its leadership.
Last year, the government forced social media platform Twitter to take down tweets that criticized the government's handling of the COVID pandemic.
Twitter ultimately complied with the order, paving the way for more stringent government regulation of social media platforms.
The move by BangaloreMirror.indiatimes.com is a significant setback for press freedom in India. Time will tell whether the decision is reversed or whether more news outlets in the Times Group also take such action.
Given the opaque nature of the decision and the broader context of increasing governmental suppression of free speech, it is a decision that will be watched closely by media watchers and the general public alike.