Meta Apologises For Brief Removal Of PM Modi’s Facebook Video; Parliamentary Panel Seeks Zuckerberg’s Apology

Meta has reportedly apologised for the brief removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Facebook video, with the company’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan calling the action an error.

“I apologised to the minister on behalf of Meta for the error restricting PM Modi's post,” Kaplan reportedly said.

The apology came on Wednesday as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology demanded an apology from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg over the removal of Modi’s video from Facebook.

Panel Gives Zuckerberg Three Days To Apologise

The parliamentary committee took serious note of the removal of Modi’s video, which featured his address to students and Gen Z on examination controversies and action against paper leaks.

According to a letter sent to the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Lok Sabha Secretariat said protection and immunity available to Zuckerberg could be withdrawn if he failed to apologise within three days.

The committee said the removal of the video for around five to six hours was viewed “very seriously”.

Meta CEO Also Apologises Over CSAM, Deepfakes

Earlier today, Zuckerberg apologised during discussions with the Centre over the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfake content and shortcomings in the operation of Meta’s platforms.

The discussions took place during a two-day meeting between MeitY officials and Meta’s global leadership on platform accountability, content moderation and compliance with Indian laws.

According to the sources, government officials questioned Meta executives over the safety of children and told the company that platforms could not earn advertising revenue from child abuse content while simultaneously claiming safe harbour protection.

The sources said the discussions over CSAM and platform operations did not include the removal of Modi’s video.

Meta Admits Mistakes In Content Moderation

During the meeting, Meta acknowledged mistakes in content moderation and expressed regret over the handling of harmful content on its platforms.

Meta officials have also been called for another meeting on Thursday.

Government officials reportedly questioned whether Meta was entitled to safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, arguing that its algorithms actively determine which content is amplified and shown to users.

Officials maintained that Meta could not claim protection available to intermediaries because its systems determine who receives particular content.

“It was made clear to them that they are not covered under the definition of an intermediary. They select who receives the content. Therefore, the safe harbour protection under the IT Act is not applicable,” government sources said.

Panel Seeks Action Against Google India

The parliamentary panel also sought government action against the head of Google India over allegations involving fraudulent investment applications.

According to the committee’s letter, Hyderabad Cyber Police had named the Google India head as a co-accused along with alleged cyber fraudsters after complainants claimed to have lost more than ₹48 lakh through fraudulent investment apps.

The committee said the government should consider similar action against Google India.

Meta Admits Boosting Certain Content

The discussions also touched upon Meta’s business practices.

According to government sources, Meta admitted that significant sums had been spent on boosting certain categories of content and expressed regret over those decisions.

The government is continuing discussions with the company over platform accountability, content moderation and compliance with Indian laws.