Parliament Panel Asks Meta to Apologise Over PM Video Removal, Warns of Safe Harbour Action
NEW DELHI, Aug 5: A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has warned Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to apologise unconditionally for the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Facebook video, and said the social media giant could face action that could impact its safe harbour protection under India’s Information Technology Act if it fails to comply. Meta said the video was removed in error and was later restored but the panel’s warning comes as a follow-up.
The controversy is related to a video which was briefly removed from Prime Minister Modi’s official Facebook account. The clip was directed at students in the wake of nationwide protests over the leaking of examination papers and detailed the government’s plans to bring in tougher legislation against such offences. Meta said it was a technical error and reinstated the content after criticism over the removal.
Parliamentary Panel Seeks Apology in Person
The Parliamentary Standing Committee, headed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, said Meta’s explanation was not sufficient and sought a personal apology from Zuckerberg. Reports said the committee has given the company three days to issue an unconditional apology. It also warned that failure to do so could result in recommendations for Meta’s safe harbour protection to be withdrawn.
The committee members were reportedly concerned about the temporary removal of a post by the Prime Minister, saying such incidents raise bigger issues about the accountability of global digital platforms operating in India.
What Are Safe Harbor Protections?
Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 is a safe harbour provision that offers immunity to online intermediaries such as social media platforms from liability arising from third party content unless they do not follow the relevant legal requirements.
The parliamentary committee warned that if Meta did not adequately address the issue, it could recommend that the company lose this legal protection. Such a move could increase the platform’s legal risk for content created by users in India.
Meta says it was an error to remove it
Meta has insisted that the removal of the video was not a deliberate action. The company said the content was taken down by mistake and was reinstated shortly after the problem was discovered.
MeitY, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, called Meta’s global public policy representatives for an explanation after the incident. The episode was also debated in the Parliamentary Standing Committee, while reviewing digital platforms and online governance.
Growing Scrutiny of Digital Platforms
The latest dispute comes amid increasing scrutiny of major technology companies over content moderation, platform accountability and compliance with Indian regulations.
Representatives from Meta, Google, YouTube, X and Snapchat appeared before the parliamentary panel as lawmakers discussed issues related to privacy, public order, intermediary responsibility and content moderation practices.
The controversy has renewed debate over how global social media companies should balance automated content moderation with the need to prevent erroneous removals, particularly when posts involve public institutions or elected representatives.
Focus Shifts to Meta’s Response
With the parliamentary committee setting a deadline for an apology, attention is now focused on Meta’s next steps. The company’s response could influence both its relationship with Indian regulators and the broader discussion surrounding intermediary protections and platform accountability.
While Meta has already stated that the removal resulted from an error, lawmakers have indicated they expect further accountability over the incident.
More info
