Meta Apologizes to India After Temporary Removal of PM Modi’s Facebook Video
Meta has formally apologized to the Indian government after a Facebook video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefly removed from the platform due to what the company described as an operational error. The apology was conveyed by Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Joel Kaplan, during a meeting with Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi. Kaplan acknowledged the mistake, stating that the restriction on the Prime Minister’s post was unintended and expressing regret on behalf of the company.
The controversy began after Prime Minister Modi’s Facebook video was taken down and later restored. Meta maintained that the content had been removed in error and reinstated once the issue was identified. The incident nevertheless sparked strong concern within the Indian government, which sought an explanation from the social media giant over the handling of content posted by the country’s elected leader.
The issue was subsequently taken up by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology. During a meeting with Meta executives, members of the committee expressed dissatisfaction over the incident and called for accountability from the company’s leadership. Several lawmakers demanded an unconditional apology from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and warned that repeated lapses could invite stricter regulatory scrutiny.
The video removal controversy also unfolded amid broader concerns raised by Indian authorities regarding Meta’s platforms. Government officials questioned the company’s handling of deepfake content, child sexual abuse material, and content moderation practices. Reports indicate that Zuckerberg separately conveyed regret over these operational shortcomings and reiterated Meta’s commitment to strengthening content moderation and improving its safety systems.
The episode comes at a time when India has tightened its regulatory framework for digital platforms, introducing stricter compliance requirements for unlawful content and increasing accountability for social media intermediaries. The government has emphasized that major technology companies operating in India must respond promptly to legal notices and ensure that their moderation systems function reliably.
Although Meta’s prompt restoration of the video and formal apology have helped ease immediate tensions, the incident has intensified debate over the transparency and accuracy of automated content moderation systems. It has also reinforced the Indian government’s message that global technology companies will be expected to maintain higher standards of accountability while operating in one of their largest markets.
