Parliament Threatens Meta's Zuckerberg Over PM Modi Video

A parliamentary standing committee has given Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg three days to apologize for the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video from Facebook. The committee has threatened to withdraw immunity if the apology is not made.

The removal of the prime minister's video, which addressed students and Gen Z regarding examination controversies and strict actions against paper leaks, was viewed very seriously by the committee. The video was removed from Facebook for five-six hours.

The committee has demanded an apology from Mark Zuckerberg and has stated that if the apology is not made within three days, the protection given under Section 79(3) of the IT Act may be withdrawn and action taken against him as a publisher.

The parliamentary standing committee on information technology has also demanded action against intermediary platforms that carry child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and demeaning material against women. The committee has stated that if the intermediary platforms fail to remove CSAM material from their portals, action should be taken under section 79(3) of the IT Act.

The panel has also sought government action against Google India head over investors losing more than Rs 48 lakh through fraud apps. The committee has desired that similar action be taken against Google India by the Government of India.

The letter from the committee comes two days after a meeting with representatives of the ministries of Home Affairs, Electronics and Information Technology, as well as the platforms Snapchat, Google, X, Meta, and YouTube on 'Social and Digital Platforms and their Regulation'.

After the meeting, panel chairperson Nishikant Dubey stated that this was not the first time that Meta had removed a video. He alleged that Mark Zuckerberg had made objectionable comments on parliamentary election results in 2024 and that the mindset of Meta was to destabilize the country.

Dubey also stated that social media platforms do not listen to the directives of the Ministries of Home Affairs and IT. He addressed the panel, saying that the temporary removal of the prime minister's official Facebook post was a serious issue and the committee wanted to know why this was done.

The committee's actions are a significant development in the ongoing debate over social media regulation in India. The Indian government has been increasingly critical of social media platforms, citing concerns over the spread of misinformation and the need for greater accountability.

The outcome of this situation will be closely watched, as it has significant implications for the future of social media in India. The parliamentary standing committee's actions demonstrate the Indian government's commitment to regulating social media and ensuring that platforms are held accountable for their actions.

In conclusion, the parliamentary standing committee's threat to withdraw immunity from Meta and its demand for an apology from Mark Zuckerberg are significant developments in the ongoing debate over social media regulation in India. The situation highlights the need for greater accountability and regulation of social media platforms in the country.