Now Reading: Meta faces scrutiny over Modi video takedown and wider content restrictions
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Meta faces scrutiny over Modi video takedown and wider content restrictions
Meta faces scrutiny over Modi video takedown and wider content restrictions
Meta temporarily removed a Facebook video by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for about four hours and 30 minutes on 28 July, calling it an error and apologising. The episode led to a…
The Story in Brief
Meta temporarily removed a Facebook video by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for about four hours and 30 minutes on 28 July, calling it an error and apologising. The episode led to a closed-door meeting of Parliament’s communications and information technology committee on 3 August. Members sought an apology from Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg and discussed removing the company’s safe harbour protection in India, Livemint reports.
The News Minute reports that Meta restricted more than 41,000 pieces of content in India between July and December 2025, nearly three times the previous year’s figure. Journalists, media organisations and political groups have also reported post restrictions under India’s IT Rules. The Hindu argues that such takedowns risk suppressing protest-related speech and weakening due process.
The Indian Opinion
The loudest claims run in opposite directions: one side treats every restriction as proof of a government censorship drive, while the other treats platform error or legal notices as sufficient explanation. Neither is good enough. Users deserve to know which authority sought removal, under what law, and how they can appeal. Meta’s 41,000-plus restrictions are a warning, not proof of uniform wrongdoing. The useful test is whether future notices, reasons and appeals are published in enough detail to permit independent scrutiny.
Sources (3): livemint.com, thenewsminute.com, thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
