Meta has issued an apology for temporarily restricting a Facebook post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledging the incident as an “error” caused by its AI-powered automated content filters. The apology was delivered by Joel Kaplan, Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, during a meeting with India’s Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and IT Secretary S. Krishnan in New Delhi.
Government Summoned Meta Over Modi's Post
The controversy began after Facebook briefly restricted a video posted by Prime Minister Modi on July 23, where he addressed students and pledged stringent action against examination paper leaks. The video, initially uploaded to Instagram, was later shared on Facebook, leading to its temporary restriction. This incident prompted the Indian government to summon Meta executives for an explanation, with government sources also indicating that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg extended an apology.
Kaplan, who previously served as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, traveled to India specifically for these high-level discussions. Meta had already restored the Prime Minister's post prior to the meeting.
Broader Content Moderation Concerns Addressed
Beyond the specific incident involving PM Modi's video, the discussions between Indian officials and Meta executives encompassed a range of critical content moderation issues. Indian authorities questioned Meta on its handling of child sexual abuse material, the proliferation of deepfakes, safeguards for verified and prominent accounts, and concerns regarding algorithmic bias. Officials also pressed Meta on its compliance with Indian laws.
During the meeting, Meta executives reportedly admitted to failures in addressing child sexual abuse content and deepfakes. They also acknowledged that significant funds had been allocated to “boosting a certain type of content.”
Challenge to Intermediary Protection
A key point of contention raised by the Indian Centre was Meta’s claim to intermediary protection under the Information Technology Act. Indian officials argued that Meta’s algorithms actively determine which users receive specific content, rather than merely hosting third-party posts. This active role, they contended, means the company cannot claim to be a neutral intermediary entitled to safe harbor protections from liability.
The government informed Meta that further discussions would be scheduled, underscoring its commitment to ensuring compliance and addressing ongoing concerns regarding content moderation and platform accountability in India.