**Zuckerberg Apologizes to Indian Parliamentary Panel Following Controversial Video Block**
Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has issued an apology to an Indian parliamentary panel regarding the temporary removal of a video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The incident has raised significant concerns about operational errors and content moderation practices on Meta's platforms, particularly in relation to child sexual abuse material and deepfake content.
The apology came after Zuckerberg was summoned by the parliamentary panel, which had been investigating the blocking of Modi's video. This video, in which the Prime Minister addressed students who had participated in protests in Delhi last month, is considered a politically sensitive matter for Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The head of the parliamentary panel had given Zuckerberg a three-day deadline to respond to the situation.
Government sources informed RT India that during the meeting, Zuckerberg acknowledged the issues raised by the panel, which included concerns over Meta's handling of content moderation and its compliance with Indian regulations. However, as of now, Meta has not released an official statement regarding the apology.
Nishikant Dubey, a member of the BJP and head of the parliamentary panel, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that if Facebook fails to take appropriate action against those responsible for the video block, the company could face the removal of the Safe Harbour Clause. This clause provides legal protection to internet platforms from liability for user-generated content, making compliance with local laws crucial for operations in India.
In addition to Zuckerberg, Joel Kaplan, Meta's chief of global affairs, was also summoned by the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to provide an explanation for the takedown of the video. Meta has attributed the incident to a technical glitch, although the specifics of this glitch have not been disclosed.
The parliamentary panel's inquiry is part of a broader scrutiny of social media platforms in India, particularly concerning their adherence to the country’s Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) regulations. Last month, Meta received a notice over violations related to its Instagram platform, highlighting ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of content moderation practices.
As the situation develops, the Indian government continues to stress the importance of compliance with local laws by social media companies. The outcome of this inquiry and the actions taken by Meta in response to the parliamentary panel's concerns could have significant implications for the company's operations in one of its largest markets.