The Instagram account of the citizen‑led “Stop Vizag Data Centers” campaign has been blocked for users in India, though it remains accessible from other countries. A notice on the page states that access is temporarily restricted under India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules. The movement, which has attracted more than 56 lakh views and 11,800 followers in two months, has announced a backup account to continue its posts.
Representatives say that nine posts were restricted in India before the account itself was blocked, and that content critical of AI data centres posted by other organisations has also faced takedowns. They argue that the account‑level restriction is the first action against the campaign and demand that Meta restore the original account.
The block comes amid plans for a Google Cloud India AI Hub in Visakhapatnam, whose foundation stone was laid on April 28. The hub is expected to consume 1 GW of power and is part of a digital infrastructure push that could bring ₹1.25 lakh crore in investment. A reel by two independent journalists about the proposed centre was also blocked in India under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, a decision later challenged in the Delhi High Court.
On September 20, students and environmental activists held a public awareness programme on Beach Road, organised by Green Visakha. Pragathi, an engineering student, criticised the government for silencing dissent and called for accountability over the data centre’s environmental impact. The campaign’s spokesperson, Deeksha Vanguru, highlighted the demonstration’s reach—over 11,000 followers and 56 lakh views—and warned that repeated takedowns curtail public debate.
