Meta's Controversial Move: Should Mark Zuckerberg Apologize for Removing PM Modi's Video?
Parliamentary Committee Demands Accountability from Meta
New Delhi: Nishikant Dubey, who leads the department-related standing committee on information technology, stated on Monday that Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, should issue a personal apology for the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video from Facebook. Several committee members echoed the call for legal repercussions to ensure accountability.
Opposition members within the committee emphasized the necessity of allowing dissent on social media, arguing that content deemed 'anti-government' should not automatically be labeled as 'anti-national'. During the meeting, Dubey expressed that the deletion of the Prime Minister's video could either signify a significant system failure or a deliberate effort by Meta to damage the Prime Minister's reputation. He questioned what ordinary citizens could expect if Meta treats the Prime Minister's official posts in such a manner, insisting that this issue cannot simply be brushed off as a technical glitch.
Dubey highlighted that Meta acknowledged the video was removed for five hours, from 12:30 AM to 5:00 AM, calling it a serious matter that warrants an apology from Zuckerberg. He warned that if an apology is not forthcoming, the protections granted to Meta under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act should be reconsidered. This section typically shields social media platforms and internet service providers from legal liability for third-party content.
This scrutiny follows the government's summons to Meta's executives after a recent Facebook post by Prime Minister Modi, which addressed the youth of India and promised strict actions against paper leaks, was temporarily restricted.
Sources indicate that Meta officials expressed regret during the committee meeting and were open to apologizing. However, a BJP MP insisted that the situation goes beyond a mere apology; accountability must be established, and legal actions should be pursued. The parliamentary committee has requested a written clarification from Meta within ten days.
Dubey noted that this incident is not isolated, recalling that in 2024, Zuckerberg made controversial remarks regarding parliamentary election results, suggesting a pattern of behavior aimed at destabilizing the country. He criticized social media platforms for ignoring directives from the Ministries of Home Affairs and IT.
Earlier in the session, Dubey labeled the temporary removal of the Prime Minister's official Facebook post concerning the NEET examination as a 'highly serious' matter, demanding an explanation for the post's removal. He requested a complete audit trail from the initial report to the restoration of the PM's video and questioned why the reasons for account-level enforcement were not made public.