Zuckerberg apologizes to India over CSAM, Modi video removal

Meta Platforms ↗ 1.02% CEO Mark Zuckerberg has apologized to the Indian government over child sexual abuse material on the company's platforms, deepfake content, and operational errors including the brief removal of a video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing Indian television channels and financial news publication Moneycontrol.malaysia.news.yahoo+1

The apology was conveyed during a meeting between Meta executives and Indian government officials on Tuesday, according to the reports.malaysia.news.yahoo

Parliamentary Ultimatum Preceded Apology

The apology follows an escalating confrontation between Meta and Indian authorities. India's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, issued a three-day ultimatum to Zuckerberg demanding an unconditional apology for the removal of Modi's July 23 Facebook video addressing students about government action against examination paper leaks.ahmedabadmirror+1

"Mark Zuckerberg must apologise within three days. If he does not apologise, we will withdraw the safe harbour protection that has been given to these social media platforms," Dubey told reporters, warning that FIRs would be filed against the Meta chief for every objectionable post appearing on the platform.ahmedabadmirror

The committee threatened to revoke Meta's protection under Section 79 of the IT Act, which shields digital intermediaries from liability for user-generated content. Without that shield, Meta and its executives could face direct criminal prosecution across Indian courts.streamlinefeed+1

Global Team Summoned to New Delhi

Meta's global team, including Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan, met IT Secretary S. Krishnan and other senior Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology officials on Wednesday in a session lasting approximately 45 minutes. The delegation was also scheduled to meet Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw later in the day.newindianexpress+1

The government raised concerns over algorithmic bias, deepfake detection failures, and Meta's handling of CSAM advertisements on Instagram, which came under scrutiny after a BBC investigation alleged the platform's recommendation systems promoted content facilitating access to child exploitation material. Meta had attributed the Modi video removal to an automated deepfake detection mechanism that incorrectly flagged the content, an explanation the IT Ministry deemed "inadequate."rediff+1

India has tightened content rules this year, requiring platforms to remove unlawful content flagged by courts or the government within three hours, down from 36 hours, or risk losing legal protections.malaysia.news.yahoo