The Centre has reportedly summoned Meta’s global public policy head, Joel Kaplan, for a second time within a week as it steps up scrutiny of the social media company following the brief removal of a video by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to an NDTV report quoting sources, Kaplan has been asked to meet government officials on Wednesday (August 5). Technical officials from Instagram have also been called to attend the meeting.
The report further stated that government officials are expected to seek an explanation on the functioning of the social media giant’s algorithm adding that the Centre has received several complaints alleging that posts critical of the government receive greater visibility across Meta’s social media platforms.
Fresh summons issued
The development comes after last week’s summons issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology following the temporary removal PM Modi’s video.
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According to the report, Centre is also expected to seek a written apology from Meta over the removal of the Prime Minister’s video. It is likely to ask the company for a written explanation describing the “technical glitch” that resulted in the video’s temporary removal.
Parliament raises questions
Meta executives also faced pointed questions on Monday during a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology. Company representatives apologised for the “technical glitch” that briefly led to the removal of the Prime Minister’s video.
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The video, uploaded on July 23, featured PM Modi addressing Gen Z and promising strict action against paper leaks. It was posted during student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Senior officials from Google, YouTube, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology also attended the parliamentary panel meeting.
Demand for accountability
After the meeting, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who heads the Parliamentary Committee on Information Technology, said Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg should apologise over the incident.
“Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg must apologise for deleting the video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Dubey said, adding if he doesn’t, Meta may no longer have a “safe harbour” in several cases.
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The report stated that committee members told Meta representatives that the issue extended beyond an apology. They said accountability had to be fixed and legal action should follow.
Members also questioned what protection ordinary social media users in India could expect if even the Prime Minister’s video could be taken down without warning.
Safeguards promised
Following the first meeting last week, Meta reportedly assured the government that it would strengthen safeguards for posts from Prime Minister Modi’s account. The company informed the Centre that prominent accounts would receive additional oversight.
The report stated that only senior Meta officials will be allowed to review such posts before any moderation decision is taken. Meta also said every such decision would pass through rigorous checks and require review by at least two senior company officials before any action is carried out.