The Union government has called upon Meta’s global leadership for a meeting to address several compliance issues, including the brief removal of a Facebook Reel featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This meeting, organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), aims to tackle concerns related to Meta’s adherence to India’s digital regulations. Among the topics on the agenda is the inadvertent removal of content posted by the Prime Minister, despite Meta’s sophisticated content moderation systems. Meta has since restored the Reel and acknowledged the mistake, reportedly offering an apology to the government. The video in question dealt with the NEET-UG paper leak and highlighted measures such as the establishment of fast-track courts and the imposition of stricter penalties for exam paper leaks.
Another significant concern for the government is the handling of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Instagram. Recent directives have been issued to remove such content, and officials are expected to discuss Instagram’s response to these instructions during the meeting. The government is particularly interested in ensuring that Meta enforces stricter compliance with India’s IT Rules, especially in areas concerning AI-generated content, public order, and platform accountability.
In addition to these issues, the proposed username feature on WhatsApp will be a key point of discussion. Authorities are worried that this feature could heighten the risks of impersonation, phishing, identity theft, and online fraud. As a precautionary measure, the government has requested WhatsApp to hold off on implementing the feature until a thorough consultation process is completed.
The discussions reflect the broader concerns of the Indian government regarding the compliance of major tech platforms with local digital regulations. These talks are seen as pivotal in addressing the challenges posed by rapidly evolving digital technologies and ensuring that platforms like Meta operate within the framework of India’s legal and regulatory environment.