Meta is facing increased scrutiny in India after a Parliamentary Standing Committee asked the company to issue a personal apology over the temporary removal of a Facebook video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The panel also warned that if Meta fails to respond appropriately, it could recommend reviewing the company’s “safe harbour” protection under Indian law.
The controversy stems from the brief removal of a video posted on the Prime Minister’s official Facebook account. Meta had earlier restored the content and said it was removed due to a technical error, issuing an apology for the incident. The company maintained that the takedown was unintentional.
However, during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, members expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s explanation. Committee Chairperson Nishikant Dubey said Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg should personally apologise for the incident, adding that the committee may seek the withdrawal of Meta’s safe harbour protection if an adequate response is not received.
Safe harbour protection under Indian law shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content, provided they comply with legal requirements and due diligence obligations. Any review of this protection could have significant implications for digital platforms operating in the country.
The incident comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of global technology companies in India, with lawmakers placing greater emphasis on platform accountability, content moderation practices, and transparency.
