The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology met Meta officials on 5 August 2026 after the company was criticised for child‑sex‑abuse material (CSAM), deep‑fake videos and a mistaken removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s youth message. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg conveyed an apology through the company’s global head of public policy, Joel Kaplan.
Key Developments
- Zuckerberg’s apology covered CSAM, deep‑fake content and platform‑operating errors.
- Kaplan met IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and reiterated that further meetings will follow.
- The government questioned why Modi’s video posted on 23 July 2026 was temporarily removed; Meta said it was an error.
- Officials asserted that intermediary status does not apply to Meta, threatening loss of safe‑harbour immunity.
- The Lok Sabha Standing Committee demanded an unqualified apology within three days, else Section 79 protection may be withdrawn.
Important Facts
• The committee also raised concerns about Instagram’s role in amplifying protests at Jantar Mantar and the presence of CSAM advertisements on the platform.
• Section 79 can be invoked only after a court determines non‑compliance on a case‑by‑case basis.
• The IT Rules, 2021 require platforms to act on notices from law‑enforcement agencies.
• Law firm Scriboard’s Ravi Goyal noted that there is no explicit provision for the government to unilaterally revoke safe‑harbour protection.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the evolving legal framework for digital intermediaries is crucial for GS2 (Polity) and GS3 (Law & Governance). The debate touches on:
- Balancing freedom of expression with the need to curb illegal content such as CSAM.
- Interpretation of safe‑harbour and its impact on platform accountability.
- Parliamentary oversight through standing committees and their role in shaping ICT policy.
Way Forward
• Meta must strengthen content‑moderation mechanisms to prevent illegal and deep‑fake material.
• The government may consider amending Section 79 or issuing clearer guidelines under the IT Rules, 2021 to ensure compliance.
• Continuous parliamentary scrutiny can help align digital policy with constitutional values and child‑protection goals.