The Indian government has intensified its scrutiny of Meta's content moderation practices, summoning company executives to explain the brief removal of a video post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Facebook. During a high-level meeting in New Delhi, officials also raised serious concerns about Meta's handling of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and what they termed "deficiencies" in the platform's compliance with Indian regulations.
Government Demands Accountability and Apology
On August 5, 2026, representatives from Meta, including Joel Kaplan, met with officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), led by S. Krishnan. The 45-minute discussion centered on the unexplained temporary removal of PM Modi's video, which addressed students, and the broader issue of selective enforcement of platform policies.
The government expressed dissatisfaction with Meta's previous explanations regarding the incident, demanding a comprehensive report detailing the process "from report to restoration" of the video. Furthermore, a three-day ultimatum has been issued to Meta, requiring a personal apology to Prime Minister Modi.
Threat to Safe Harbour Protection
A significant point of leverage for the Indian government is the potential withdrawal of Facebook's "Safe Harbour protection." This legal provision shields social media platforms from liability for user-generated content. Should Meta fail to issue the demanded apology and implement corrective actions, the government indicated it would consider revoking this crucial protection, exposing the platform to greater legal risks.
Meta and other social media platforms have consistently stated they maintain strict internal content moderation rules and fact-checking mechanisms. However, the Indian government has emphasized that all platforms operating within its borders must fully comply with Indian laws and regulatory requirements.
Ongoing Dialogue and Future Steps
The August 5 meeting is not the end of the dialogue. Sources indicate that a second round of discussions is scheduled for August 6, suggesting that the government remains committed to ensuring greater compliance and accountability from major tech companies like Meta.
This move underscores India's firm stance on digital governance, signaling to global tech giants that their operations within the country are subject to stringent oversight regarding content management and adherence to national laws.