Meta apologises before Parl panel over removal of PM Modi's video

NEW DELHI: Meta on Monday apologised before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology over the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook video, saying it was taken down due to an error. However, several committee members said the issue went beyond an apology and demanded accountability for the incident.According to ANI sources, members of the parliamentary panel took a tough stance during the meeting, questioning Meta officials over the removal of the Prime Minister's video from Facebook.ANI sources said, "The Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT took a tough stance over the removal of PM Modi’s video from Facebook. During the committee meeting, several members posed tough questions to Meta officials. Meta officials apologized, stating that the PM’s video was removed due to an error. Several committee members said the issue was not about an apology, but about fixing accountability. Committee members also demanded legal action against the Meta official responsible for removing the video. Members further sought details from Meta on what action the company has taken regarding controversial and objectionable content present on its platforms. Meeting is still underway."The meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, was convened to discuss the regulation of social and digital media platforms. Representatives from Google, Meta, YouTube, X, Snapchat, the Union home ministry and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) appeared before the panel.The meeting came days after the Centre summoned Meta's global team over the temporary restriction of Prime Minister Modi's Facebook post in which he addressed India's youth and promised stringent action against paper leaks.Meta had earlier attributed the removal to a technical error and restored the content, but the MeitY described the company's explanation as "inadequate". Government sources had said the issue was not merely technical but also related to "national security and public order".Separately, the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police has registered cases against Meta India head Arun Srinivas and certain Facebook and Instagram accounts over allegedly morphed and AI-generated posts targeting the Prime Minister. Government sources have also raised broader concerns about the impact of social media platforms on public order and their compliance with Indian laws.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.