On Wednesday, an Indian parliamentary committee called for Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to publicly apologize after a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was temporarily taken down.
As the world’s most populous country, India is Meta’s largest market with hundreds of millions using Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Modi’s video, in which he speaks to students during youth-led protests on July 23, was briefly removed from Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta, but was later reinstated.
Meta attributed the incident to a technical glitch.
However, Nishikant Dubey, chair of the parliamentary committee on communications and information technology, pointed the finger at Meta.
“The removal of the Prime Minister’s video was not the act of an intermediary but that of a publisher,” Dubey stated, a member of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“Zuckerberg is expected to apologize within three days.”
India’s parliamentary standing committees oversee government policies and have the authority to summon officials and company representatives for questioning.
Yet, they lack the power to impose penalties, revoke legal protections, or initiate prosecutions. Any legal action against online platforms must be undertaken by the government or through the courts under existing laws.
Dubey revealed that the committee has corresponded with the interior and technology ministries demanding action.
“If he refuses to apologize, all protections provided under safe harbor provisions for his social media platforms should be revoked,” Dubey added.
Indian media reported that Meta officials had been called to explain the temporary removal of the video.
Meta has yet to respond to AFP’s inquiries.
On July 23, Modi posted a vertical video directly addressing viewers, coinciding with protests led by the online Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The protests, initially sparked in New Delhi over exam irregularities, expanded into a broader movement focusing on employment, youth opportunities, and concerns that critics see as increasing authoritarian tendencies under Modi’s leadership.
Active on X and Instagram, Modi used vertical videos to connect with a younger audience.
In his message, he assured students that stricter laws and harsher penalties would be enacted against exam leaks.