Meta apologises before Parl panel over removal of PM Modi's video; members seek accountability

Meta apologized to India's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology for removing PM Narendra Modi's Facebook video, saying it was taken down due to an error.

Several committee members demanded accountability and legal action against the Meta official responsible for the removal, saying the issue goes beyond an apology.

The committee, chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, discussed regulation of social and digital media platforms with representatives from Meta, Google, YouTube, X, Snapchat, and the Union home ministry and MeitY.

The video removal came after the Centre summoned Meta's global team over the temporary restriction of Modi's post about addressing paper leaks; MeitY had called Meta's technical-error explanation 'inadequate' and government sources linked the issue to national security and public order.

Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police registered cases against Meta India head Arun Srinivas and some Facebook and Instagram accounts over allegedly morphed and AI-generated posts targeting PM Modi.