0 months ago
Meta meets IT ministry over Modi video removal, CSAM concerns
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, made a video to talk to students about exam problems.
That video was taken off Facebook for a few hours.
Many people in India were upset because the Prime Minister's video should not disappear.
Facebook's parent company is called Meta.
India's government called Meta's top people to a meeting to ask why it happened.
Meta said the video was removed by accident and that it was a mistake.
Indian officials said that was not a good enough answer.
They also want Meta to work harder to stop bad content, like videos that hurt children.
They told Meta's boss, Mark Zuckerberg, to say sorry within three days.
If he does not, Meta could lose special legal protection in India.
Meta's Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan met MeitY Secretary S Krishnan for about 45 minutes in New Delhi over the erroneous takedown of PM Narendra Modi's Facebook video and child sexual abuse material concerns.
The government called Meta's technical glitch explanation 'inadequate' and said the matter touches on 'national security and public order.'
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology demanded an unqualified apology from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg within three days or warned of withdrawing immunity under Section 79(3) of the IT Act.
The removed video was Modi's July 23 address to students and Gen Z promising strict action against paper leaks; reports vary on how long it was unavailable, from about four hours (12:30 am-5:00 am) to five to six hours.
The delegation was also scheduled to meet IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw later in the day, and Meta said it had added enhanced safeguards, implemented July 28, for PM and other high-profile accounts.
- Who
- Meta executives led by Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan met MeitY Secretary S Krishnan, with the delegation also scheduled to meet IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
- What
- A high-level meeting over the erroneous removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook video, CSAM handling, synthetic content, algorithmic bias, and verified account safeguards.
- Where
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in New Delhi.
- When
- Wednesday, following the removal of Modi's July 23 post; reports say the video was unavailable roughly between 12:30 am and 5:00 am, with sources citing four to six hours.
- Why
- The government questioned Meta's explanation of a technical glitch as inadequate and raised concerns about compliance with Indian law, platform accountability, and online safety.
Indian Government and Regulators
Meta
Removal of PM Modi's Video
Indian Government and Regulators
The brief removal of the Prime Minister's video was unacceptable; the technical glitch explanation is 'inadequate' and the matter concerns 'national security and public order.'
Meta
The takedown was 'erroneous' and a mistake caused by AI-powered automated content filters; the post was restored and Meta apologised.
Legal Immunity and Accountability
Indian Government and Regulators
The Parliamentary Standing Committee demanded an unqualified apology from Mark Zuckerberg within three days or the withdrawal of safe harbour protection under Section 79(3) of the IT Act, warning he could be treated as a publisher.
Meta
Meta explained the incident as an error and did not respond when asked who was responsible for the mistaken removal.
Handling of CSAM and Harmful Content
Indian Government and Regulators
The government says a company of Meta's scale should have the technology to effectively tackle CSAM, including in paid Instagram ads, and to prevent content affecting public order.
Meta
Meta discussed measures taken on CSAM and stated that posts by the PM and prominent accounts now face enhanced oversight with multiple layers of senior review.
Key facts
- Meeting Duration
- Approximately 45 minutes
- Meta Representative
- Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer
- Government Representative
- S Krishnan, MeitY Secretary
- Key Issues
- PM Modi video removal, CSAM on Instagram ads, synthetically generated content, safeguards for verified accounts, algorithmic bias
- Video Unavailable Duration
- Reports vary: about 5-6 hours (committee) or 5 hours, 12:30 am-5:00 am (Dubey)
- Zuckerberg Apology Deadline
- Within 3 days of committee letter
- Legal Warning
- Withdrawal of protection/immunity under Section 79(3) of the IT Act
- Meta's Additional Safeguards
- Implemented July 28 for PM Modi and other high-profile accounts
Quotes
S. Krishnan
MeitY IT Secretary
“There are a range of issues...the CSAM issue was raised, so what measures have been taken regarding that, and synthetically generated information ... to what extent that is being looked at. Then, for prominent personalities when they have verified accounts, if content has to be taken down, there have to be safeguards...all of these will be the issues (taken up).”
telegraphindia.com
firstpost.com
“For platforms, there needs to be a clear understanding of India's law, what compliance must look like, and a clearer understanding of how they intend to make sure compliance happens.”
firstpost.com
Nishikant Dubey
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, BJP MP for Godda
“"Meta India removed the Prime Minister's content. This is not the first time Meta India has done this. If you recall, Zuckerberg himself made a statement in January regarding the 2024 elections and later apologised. This shows that his intention is to destabilise the country. When a video of the Prime Minister of India can be removed, and they themselves admitted that the content was missing for five hours, from 12:30 am to 5:00 am, this is a very serious matter," he said.”
freepressjournal.in
“"Our committee has said two things and has clearly stated that the apology should come from Zuckerberg. If Zuckerberg does not give it, then the safe harbour protection under Section 79 should be withdrawn from him," he added.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
Related news
Zuckerberg Apologises for Modi Post Removal, Admits Moderation Failures
Meta explains Modi video takedown to Indian government officials
Meta Executives Meet Indian Minister After MeitY Rejects Facebook Explanation
Social Media Companies Intensify Efforts to Identify Child Users
Yorkville America Expands Beyond Trump-Linked ETFs With AI Strategy
Meta’s $18-Billion Child Safety Settlement Faces Praise and Criticism
School Awards Honour Courage, Commitment and Educational Excellence
AI Expansion Puts Jamnagar and Thane Under Water Stress
