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Panel warns Zuckerberg to apologise over PM Modi video removal
A powerful group in India's government is upset with Mark Zuckerberg, the leader of Meta, which owns Facebook.
The group, called a Parliamentary Standing Committee, makes sure big companies follow the rules.
It was unhappy because a video made by India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, disappeared from Facebook for a few hours.
In the video, the Prime Minister talked to students about making exams fairer and stopping paper leaks.
Facebook said the video was removed by mistake because of a technical problem.
The committee thinks it was either a system failure or a deliberate attempt to hurt the Prime Minister's image, so it wants Mr. Zuckerberg to say sorry within three days.
The committee warned that his special legal protections could be taken away if he doesn't apologise.
The committee also wants the government to look into Google India because some investors say they lost more than Rs 48 lakh using fraud apps.
Big tech companies like Meta and Google now need to take these concerns seriously.
A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology demanded a public apology from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg within three days over the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video from Facebook.
The committee warned that Zuckerberg's protection and immunity under Section 79(3) of the IT Act may be withdrawn and action taken against him as a publisher if he fails to apologise.
The video, in which PM Modi addressed students and Gen Z on exam paper leaks and fast-track courts, was off Facebook for 5-6 hours on July 28 before Meta restored it, citing a technical glitch.
Committee chairman Nishikant Dubey called the removal a "highly serious issue" - either a system failure or a deliberate attempt to tarnish the PM's image.
The panel also sought Government of India action against the Google India head over investors losing more than Rs 48 lakh through fraud apps.
- Who
- The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, chaired by Nishikant Dubey, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
- What
- The committee demanded an apology from Zuckerberg within three days over the temporary removal of PM Modi's Facebook video, and sought Government of India action against the Google India head over Rs 48 lakh in fraud app losses.
- Where
- India - the committee operates from New Delhi; the video was removed from PM Modi's official Facebook page; Gen Z-led protests were held at Jantar Mantar.
- When
- The demand was made on Wednesday, August 5; the video was posted on July 23, removed for 5-6 hours on July 28, and restored the same day; the committee met platform representatives on August 3.
- Why
- The committee viewed the removal as a "highly serious issue" - either a system failure or a deliberate attempt to tarnish the PM's image - and also sought action over investor losses from fraud apps.
Parliamentary committee view
Meta's position
Cause of the video removal
Parliamentary committee view
The committee called the removal a "highly serious issue" - either a failure of the system or a deliberate attempt to tarnish PM Modi's image - which could not be dismissed as a technical error.
Meta's position
Meta said the content was removed "in error" and has since been restored; the company attributed the removal to a glitch in its automated content filters and said posts by the PM and other prominent accounts will now have additional oversight.
Platform bias in content moderation
Parliamentary committee view
BJP MPs alleged algorithmic bias, saying objectionable material remained available while "genuine" content was removed, and chairman Nishikant Dubey noted that "this is not the first time Meta has done this."
Meta's position
The articles do not record Meta's direct response to the bias allegations; Meta said it was in touch with agencies and cooperating to resolve the matter.
Zuckerberg's earlier remarks on India's 2024 elections
Parliamentary committee view
Dubey recalled Zuckerberg's earlier apology over his podcast claim that most incumbent governments, including India's, were voted out in 2024, which IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called "misinformation."
Meta's position
The articles do not record Meta's response to the references to past remarks; Meta said it was in touch with agencies and cooperating to resolve the matter.
Key facts
- Committee
- Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology
- Chairman
- Nishikant Dubey
- Demand
- Apology from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg within three days
- Warning
- Protection/immunity under Section 79(3) of the IT Act may be withdrawn if no apology
- Letter from
- A Jyothirmayi, Director, Lok Sabha Secretariat, to the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- Video
- PM Modi's address to students and Gen Z on exam paper leaks and fast-track courts
- Removal
- Off Facebook for 5-6 hours on July 28; restored after Meta cited a technical glitch
- Action sought
- Government action against Google India head over investors losing more than Rs 48 lakh via fraud apps
Quotes
Director of the Lok Sabha secretariat
Official from the Lok Sabha secretariat
“"The Mandated removal of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's video addressing students and Gen Z regarding examination controversies and strict actions against paper leaks from Facebook for 5-6 hours viewed very seriously by the committee"”
m.rediff.com
rediff.com
telegraphindia.com
“In a letter to the secretary, Ministry of Electronics and IT, a director of the Lok Sabha secretariat said protection and immunity for Zuckerberg may be withdrawn if there is no apology in three days.”
theprint.in
IT Ministry source
Unidentified source from the Indian Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology
“"The content was removed "in error" and has since been restored on the platform."”
indianexpress.com
telegraphindia.com
“"Meta’s explanation was "not reasonable"."”
indianexpress.com
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology
“"When video of the Prime Minister of India can be removed, and they themselves accepted that it was unavailable for five hours between 12:30 am and 5 am… this is a very serious thing and our committee has said two things clearly — that this apology should come from Zuckerberg himself."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Apologise over PM video or else...: Parl panel to Zuckerberg
Apologise or face action: Zuckerberg warned over PM video removal
PM’s speech removed from FB: Parl panel asks Zuckerberg to apologise, threatens to withdraw immunity
House panel’s 3-day ultimatum to Mark Zuckerberg over removal of PM’s video
Meta row: Parliamentary Panel seeks Mark Zuckerberg apology in 3 days
‘Mark Zuckerberg must apologise’: What MP panel’s letter said about PM Modi video row
PM's speech row: Parliamentary panel warns Zuckerberg of action if he fails to apologise within three days
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