New Delhi: A Parliamentary Committee has issued a stern warning to Meta after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July 23 video was briefly removed from Facebook, demanding an apology from the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Zuckerberg, within three days and accountability for the incident.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, headed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, described the temporary removal of the Prime Minister’s video as a matter of serious concern. The panel argued that restricting content posted by India’s elected Prime Minister raised questions about the functioning and responsibility of global social media platforms operating in the country.
According to the committee, failure to take appropriate action against those responsible could lead to further legal and regulatory consequences. Members warned that the government could reconsider the legal protections available to digital platforms under the safe harbour framework, potentially exposing company officials to direct legal proceedings if violations are established.
The video in question featured Prime Minister Modi’s first selfie-style message aimed at young citizens. In the clip, he addressed concerns over examination paper leaks and assured students that strict action would be taken to strengthen the integrity of the examination system. Although the post remained available on Instagram, the Facebook version was temporarily restricted before being restored by Meta following public criticism.
During a recent meeting with the Parliamentary panel, Meta representatives attributed the incident to a technical error and expressed regret over the temporary removal. However, the committee reportedly found the explanation unsatisfactory, stating that a company with advanced technological capabilities is expected to prevent such errors rather than merely describe them as glitches.
The committee also reiterated that social media companies must strengthen their compliance with Indian laws and regulatory standards while operating in the country.
Separately, the panel reviewed concerns over the circulation and promotion of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on digital platforms. It cautioned major technology companies—including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Google, X, and Snapchat—that failure to comply with laws governing such content could invite legal action.
Citing official crime data, the committee noted that offences involving the online publication or transmission of sexually explicit material involving children remain a significant concern. It stressed that protecting children and preventing the misuse of digital platforms should remain a top priority for technology companies and regulators alike.
