Vizag Data Centres Campaign Says Instagram Account Restricted in India

The Instagram account of the citizen-led 'Stop Vizag Data Centers' campaign has been temporarily restricted in India, with the page unavailable to users in the country while remaining accessible abroad, representatives of the movement said. They alleged that the restriction was imposed without any prior deliberation.

The campaign has since announced a backup Instagram account to continue posting. A message displayed on the restricted account states that access was temporarily limited pursuant to legal requirements under India's Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules.

According to the campaign's representatives, nine posts had been restricted in India in the weeks before the account-level action. They said the account had drawn more than 56 lakh views and 11,800 followers within two months, and that this was the first such action taken against it. The representatives demanded that Meta restore the account.

They further alleged that content critical of AI data centres, posted by various organisations and through personal accounts, had also been restricted.

The movement has raised concerns over the development of AI data centres in and around Visakhapatnam, citing what it describes as a lack of transparency and the socio-ecological costs associated with such projects.

On Sunday, a public awareness programme on the potential impacts of large-scale AI data centres on water resources, electricity demand and local temperatures was held along Beach Road in Visakhapatnam. The event was conducted by Green Visakha, an environmental NGO, with participation from a student organisation. Organisers said the programme aimed to spread awareness about the responsible and sustainable use of natural resources and the possible effects of such projects on the ecosystem and biodiversity.

Pragathi, an engineering student who attended the programme, said the page was created to amplify public concerns, but the account was banned on Saturday, September 19, and all reels were removed. She questioned why the government was unable to answer people's questions if a data centre project had genuine advantages, and said the campaign would continue to oppose the project and seek justice.

Deeksha Vanguru, a member of 'Stop Vizag Data Centers', said a demonstration was held on Sunday against the rapid expansion of data centres, along with an awareness campaign involving pamphlet distribution and conversations with residents about the potential environmental and other impacts of such projects. She said the page had built a volunteer network alongside its following and engagement, and that repeated takedowns were curtailing the campaign's content and its dissent.