Meta restricted the campaign’s Instagram account on September 19, according to a statement released by HRF representatives on Tuesday. The organization said the action, which also saw nine individual posts removed in the weeks before the ban, effectively curtails online discussion of the region’s data‑centre developments.
HRF alleges that the restrictions were imposed under “legal requirements under India’s Information Technology Rules,” a claim the forum says reflects a pattern of online criticism being suppressed. The group has not provided independent verification of the legal basis cited by Meta.
The “Stop Vizag Data Centers” campaign, launched in July, has been raising questions about the projects’ demand for water, land and electricity, the use of public resources, potential environmental risks, and the lack of transparency and public participation in decision‑making. HRF says the campaign has drawn 5.6 million (56 lakh) views and attracted 11,800 followers in just two months.
In addition to the campaign’s account, HRF says posts by the forum itself and an investigative documentary produced by the Environmental Reporting Collective were also subject to Instagram restrictions, though details of those takedowns were not disclosed.
HRF State General Secretary Y. Rajesh and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Coordination Committee member V.S. Krishna issued a joint demand that Meta restore the account and disclose the specific legal authority and request that prompted the restriction. They argue that projects of public interest should remain open to scrutiny and public debate.
Meta has not yet responded publicly to HRF’s accusations or provided an explanation for the account’s removal.