3 weeks ago
India Tells Meta: Platforms Can't Run Under US Law
The government of India talked to a big company called Meta, which owns apps like Facebook and WhatsApp.
The government said that apps used in India have to follow Indian rules and laws.
It said platforms cannot be run in India using the laws of America or any other country.
Meta has already said something publicly about the matter.
Meta's leaders from around the world are staying in India for a few more days.
They have three or four more meetings planned, and some will be about WhatsApp.
Earlier, Meta officials visited a minister named Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi.
There was a problem because a post about the Prime Minister was removed, and a committee chairman asked Meta to say sorry.
Meta did apologize.
A leader named Anup Sanjay Dhotre said freedom of speech is important but it should have some limits, and social media companies must be responsible to society and the law.
Government sources said social media platforms in India must comply with Indian law, not the laws of any other country.
Technical details, including logs, were scheduled for discussion on Thursday as part of ongoing government-Meta talks.
Meta's global team will stay in India for a few more days, with three to four additional meetings planned, including on WhatsApp.
Meta apologized after the Parliamentary Standing Committee chairman demanded an apology over the removal of a post related to the Prime Minister.
MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre said freedom of speech should have limitations and all platforms have a responsibility toward society and the law.
- Who
- The Government of India, Meta and its global team, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre.
- What
- India told Meta that platforms must be run according to Indian laws and held compliance discussions, with upcoming talks set to address WhatsApp.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- When
- Reported on a Thursday during the 3rd India International FinTech Festival 2026, with technical discussions scheduled for that day.
- Why
- To ensure Meta's platforms comply with Indian laws and to address the controversy over the removal of a post related to the Prime Minister.
Platforms must follow national law
Preserve freedom of expression
Compliance with Indian law
Platforms must follow national law
Platforms cannot be run in India as per US law; every platform, like all institutions, has a responsibility toward society and Indian law.
Preserve freedom of expression
The removal of the Prime Minister's post for unknown reasons shows that platform decisions can affect free expression and must be scrutinized, prompting the committee chairman's demand for an apology.
Limits on freedom of speech
Platforms must follow national law
Freedom of speech should have some limitations, and there has been exploitation on platforms causing some people personal losses.
Preserve freedom of expression
Freedom of speech and expression is a right that must be maintained, and balancing it with limitations remains a challenge for all social media platforms.
Key facts
- Platforms in dialogue
- Meta, X and Telegram
- Minister involved
- Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology
- Meta global team
- Staying in India for a few more days
- Planned meetings
- Three to four additional meetings, including on WhatsApp
- Apology
- Meta apologized for the removal of a post related to the Prime Minister
- Speaker
- Anup Sanjay Dhotre, MP and Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT
- Event
- 3rd India International FinTech Festival 2026, organised by ASSOCHAM
Quotes
Government source
Government representative explaining legal compliance to ANI
“Platforms can’t be run in India as per US law. These are technical matters; every aspect is to be understood. The aim is to employ law for the benefit of our society. All platforms have a responsibility towards society and the law, like all institutions.”
republicworld.com
Anup Sanjay Dhotre
Member of Parliament and Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT
“That is one thing. And the other thing which was in the news was that the Prime Minister's post was taken down for some unknown reasons. Definitely, our Chairman has demanded an apology from Meta.”
republicworld.com
Sources
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