The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has issued a three-day deadline to Meta, demanding an apology over the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video from Facebook. The panel also warned that failure to act could lead to a review of the company's safe harbour protection in India.
Committee Seeks Accountability
The committee, chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, described the brief removal of the Prime Minister's July 23 video as a matter of serious concern. Members said that since the Prime Minister represents the country's citizens, the incident raises broader questions about accountability on digital platforms.
The panel stated that Meta should identify those responsible for the incident, take appropriate action, and issue an apology within the stipulated time.
Warning Over Safe Harbour Status
The committee warned that if Meta does not comply, it could recommend action affecting the company's safe harbour protection, a legal safeguard that limits the liability of online platforms for user-generated content under certain conditions.
The panel indicated that the removal of such protection could expose platform officials to legal proceedings, subject to applicable laws and government decisions.
Video Was Briefly Removed
The controversy stems from a video first shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Instagram and later uploaded to Facebook. The post featured a direct message aimed at young people and addressed issues including action against paper leaks.
The Facebook version of the video was temporarily restricted before being restored. Meta later attributed the incident to a technical glitch and reinstated the content after receiving criticism.
Government Questions Meta's Explanation
During a recent meeting with the Parliamentary Committee, Meta representatives reportedly apologised for the temporary removal. However, government representatives expressed dissatisfaction with the explanation, stating that a technology company should have systems in place to prevent such incidents.
Officials reportedly asked the company to strengthen its content management mechanisms to avoid similar occurrences in the future.
Panel Also Raises CSAM Concerns
The committee also discussed the issue of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) appearing in online advertisements and warned social media companies to strictly comply with Indian laws.
The warning extends to major digital platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Google, X, and Snapchat.
According to government data cited during the discussion, a significant number of cybercrime cases involving children relate to the publication or transmission of sexually explicit material. The committee stressed that platforms must take stronger measures to detect and remove such content.
Focus on Online Safety
The parliamentary panel reiterated that protecting children and preventing the spread of illegal content should remain a top priority for all social media companies. It emphasised that compliance with Indian regulations is essential and that any violations would be dealt with in accordance with the law.