Meta Apologises to Parliament Panel for Removing PM Modi's Video; Members Seek Accountability
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
Meta has apologised before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology for the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook video, citing a technical error. The incident has sparked demands for accountability and legal action from committee members, highlighting tensions between the government and tech platforms over content moderation.
Background
The video, in which PM Modi addressed India's youth and promised stringent action against paper leaks, was temporarily restricted on Facebook. The Centre had summoned Meta's global team over the issue, and MeitY had described Meta's explanation as 'inadequate', linking the matter to national security and public order.
Key facts
Meta apologised before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT for removing PM Modi's Facebook video, attributing it to an error.
Committee members, led by chair BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, demanded accountability and legal action against the Meta official responsible.
The meeting discussed regulation of social and digital media platforms, with representatives from Google, Meta, YouTube, X, Snapchat, the Union home ministry, and MeitY present.
The removal occurred days after the Centre summoned Meta's global team over the temporary restriction of the PM's post.
MeitY had earlier called Meta's explanation 'inadequate', and government sources linked the issue to 'national security and public order'.
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered cases against Meta India head Arun Srinivas and certain accounts over allegedly morphed and AI-generated posts targeting PM Modi.
Prelims pointers
- Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology
- Chair: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Meta (Facebook) – social media platform
- IT Act (relevant for social media regulation)
- Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police
- AI-generated content and deepfakes
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of parliamentary committees in overseeing tech platforms and ensuring accountability.
- Critically examine the balance between freedom of speech and content moderation on social media.
- Analyze the implications of government actions against tech companies for national security and public order.