IT Ministry Warns Meta To Comply With Indian Laws

The IT Ministry has warned social media platforms, including Meta, to comply with Indian laws after a controversy surrounding the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post. A parliamentary panel has asked Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to issue an unqualified apology within three days for the brief removal of the post.

The panel's demand comes after Meta removed a video featuring PM Modi addressing students and Gen Z on examination-related controversies and the government's crackdown on paper leaks. The video was reportedly unavailable on Facebook for around five to six hours.

IT Ministry sources said that social media platforms must comply with the law of the land. A high-level Meta delegation met IT Secretary S. Krishnan to discuss the issue. They were also scheduled to meet Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The parliamentary panel's letter to the IT Ministry warned that Meta's safe harbour protection in India could be revoked if the company fails to comply with the demand. The letter, signed by A. Jyothirmayi, Director in the Lok Sabha Secretariat, stated that the protection and immunity available to Zuckerberg could be reconsidered if an apology is not issued within the stipulated period.

The IT Ministry has stressed the need for clear compliance with existing rules and raised concerns over instances of alleged misuse of platforms. Officials have highlighted the need for social media platforms to address such issues on an urgent basis.

Representatives from Meta and other social media platforms have responded that they already have stringent internal rules and fact-checking mechanisms in place. They maintained that no misuse of their platforms is allowed deliberately or knowingly.

The controversy surrounding the removal of PM Modi's post has sparked a debate over the role of social media platforms in India. The IT Ministry's warning to Meta is seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate over social media regulation in the country.

The Indian government has been increasingly concerned about the misuse of social media platforms in recent years. The government has introduced several regulations to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech on social media.

The current controversy surrounding Meta is likely to have significant implications for social media regulation in India. The IT Ministry's warning to Meta is a clear indication that the government will not tolerate any violation of Indian laws by social media platforms.

In conclusion, the IT Ministry's warning to Meta is a significant development in the ongoing debate over social media regulation in India. The government's demand for compliance with Indian laws is likely to have far-reaching implications for social media platforms operating in the country.