Meta grilled by parliamentary panel over PM Modi video row

Meta has told a parliamentary committee it is ready to apologise for briefly restricting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post, as lawmakers demanded legal action and accountability. The Hindu reports that at a meeting of the department-related standing committee on information technology on Monday, members questioned Meta representatives over algorithmic bias and why objectionable content like pornography remained while a legitimate post was removed.

The government has summoned Meta's global team to New Delhi on August 5-6. IT Secretary S Krishnan said on Tuesday that issues including lapses in curbing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and wrongful action on prominent accounts will be raised. The ministry had earlier found Meta's explanation of a technical glitch 'inadequate'.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who heads the panel, said it has unanimously recommended withdrawing the 'safe harbour' protection for social media companies if they fail to comply with Indian laws. Meta CEO Joel Kaplan is expected to attend the meeting with government officials.