Meta has apologised for briefly restricting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Facebook video, calling the action a mistake. The company’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan said he apologised to the government on behalf of Meta for the error.
The video, which featured PM Modi addressing students and Gen Z on examination issues and action against paper leaks, was unavailable on Facebook for around five to six hours. The incident drew attention from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, which sought an apology from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Government officials also raised concerns with Meta over issues related to harmful content, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfake content, and platform accountability. During discussions with Meta executives, officials stressed that social media companies must ensure user safety and follow Indian laws.
Meta acknowledged mistakes in content moderation and expressed regret over handling certain types of harmful content on its platforms. The discussions also focused on the company’s responsibility as a major digital platform and the rules related to safe harbour protection under Indian law.
The government and Meta are expected to continue discussions on improving content moderation and ensuring greater accountability on social media platforms.