New Delhi | ENewsXpress Desk
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has once again found itself at the center of controversy in India. Following the temporary removal of a Facebook video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has reportedly given Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg a three-day deadline to issue a public apology. The committee has also warned that it may recommend a review of the company’s Safe Harbour legal protection if the matter is not addressed satisfactorily.
What Is the Controversy?
According to reports, a Facebook video shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was temporarily removed from the platform before being restored a few hours later. Meta attributed the incident to a technical glitch and expressed regret over the error.
However, the Parliamentary Standing Committee reportedly found the explanation insufficient and sought greater accountability from the company.
Committee Chairman and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey stated that the temporary removal of the Prime Minister’s video was a serious matter and that responsibility should be fixed. He reportedly said that the apology should come directly from Meta’s top leadership, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Warning Over Safe Harbour Protection
The committee has indicated that if Meta fails to take the required steps, it may recommend a review of the company’s Safe Harbour protection.
Safe Harbour is a legal framework that provides online intermediaries, including social media platforms, with limited protection from liability for user-generated content, provided they comply with applicable laws and due diligence requirements. If such protection is withdrawn or restricted, the platform and its officials could face greater legal liability for content hosted on the service.
Questions Raised Over Child Safety and Content Moderation
The meeting reportedly extended beyond the issue of the Prime Minister’s video. The committee also questioned Meta regarding:
- Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)
- Deepfake videos targeting women
- Online fraud and cybercrime
- The effectiveness of the platform’s content moderation systems
Referring to NCRB data, the committee expressed concern over the rising number of cybercrime cases involving children and sought clarification on Meta’s efforts to detect and remove harmful content.
Meta’s Response
Meta expressed regret before the parliamentary committee and maintained that the removal of the video resulted from a technical error. The company stated that the video was mistakenly taken down and restored shortly afterward.
However, committee members reportedly maintained that citing a technical glitch alone was not sufficient and emphasized the need for clear accountability.
Growing Regulatory Scrutiny
The controversy reflects India’s increasing focus on the accountability of global social media companies and their content moderation practices. Any future decision regarding Meta’s Safe Harbour status could have wider implications for other international digital platforms operating in the country.
ENewsXpress Verdict
The controversy surrounding the temporary removal of Prime Minister Modi’s video has evolved beyond the question of a technical error. It has become part of a broader debate over the accountability of social media companies, content moderation standards, and the legal responsibilities of digital platforms in India.
