India's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology has rejected an apology from Meta for the removal of a video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi [1].
The decision signals a hardening stance by Indian lawmakers against global tech platforms, suggesting that technical explanations may no longer suffice to avoid legal penalties in the country [2].
The dispute centers on a video that was briefly restricted on July 28, 2024 [1]. Meta said the incident was due to a technical glitch, but the committee dismissed this explanation [2]. Members of the panel said the removal was not a mere technical error and pointed to repeated concerns regarding the manipulation of algorithms [1].
In response to the incident, the committee urged Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan to initiate strict legal action against Meta officials [1]. The panel's demand for accountability goes beyond a corporate apology, seeking a legal framework to address the restriction of content involving the head of government [2].
Lawmakers said such restrictions could be intentional rather than accidental. The committee's push for legal consequences reflects a broader tension between the Indian government and social media giants over content moderation, and digital sovereignty [1].
Meta has not provided further public comment on the committee's demand for legal action, though the company had previously issued the apology that the panel has now rejected [2].
“The committee rejected Meta's apology for removing a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
This escalation reflects the Indian government's increasing intolerance for content moderation errors by foreign tech firms. By rejecting a 'technical glitch' explanation and demanding legal action, the IT panel is asserting state authority over platform algorithms, potentially setting a precedent for how Meta and other social media companies operate within India's legal jurisdiction.
