Meta apologises for removing PM Modi’s Facebook post, admits paid content boosting: Govt

Meta apologises for removing PM Modi’s post, admits paid content boosting

Theindiapostdaily.com – Meta apologises for removing PM Modi’s Facebook post after the social media giant acknowledged lapses during a high-level meeting with Indian government officials. The apology came on Wednesday, 5 August, when Meta Platforms confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s post had been temporarily removed from the platform due to an error in its automated content filtering system.

Joel Kaplan, Meta’s Global Affairs head, led a delegation that met with Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to address the concerns. Meta apologises for removing PM Modi and other platform-related issues, Kaplan stated during the discussions. The company also acknowledged that significant funds had been allocated for boosting specific types of content on its platforms.

Before meeting with the minister, Kaplan and his team held separate discussions with IT Secretary S Krishnan. Government officials revealed that Meta admitted to paying substantial amounts to promote certain content categories. This admission came as part of Meta’s broader acknowledgment of platform operational errors.

Intermediary status and regulatory concerns

The Centre informed Meta that it could not be considered a neutral intermediary under India’s Information Technology Act. According to government sources, Meta’s algorithms actively curate and recommend content rather than merely providing a platform for third-party material. This distinction means Meta may not qualify for safe harbour protection against legal liability for user-generated content.

During the discussions, the government raised multiple concerns including child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, protections for verified accounts, algorithmic bias, and compliance with Indian laws. Meta acknowledged that significant amounts of illegal content had been promoted through paid advertisements on its platforms.

FAQ: Understanding the incident

Q: When was PM Modi’s post removed? A: The post was briefly restricted on 23 July 2024, when Modi addressed young people about examination paper leaks.

Q: What was Meta’s initial explanation? A: Meta attributed the removal to an error in its AI-powered automated content filtering system.

Q: What is Meta’s intermediary status in India? A: The government argues Meta is not a neutral intermediary since its algorithms actively curate and recommend content to users.

Q: What happens next? A: Meta may be summoned again for further discussions as the government continues to monitor platform compliance.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Wednesday demanded an apology from CEO Mark Zuckerberg over the removal of PM Modi’s Facebook post. In a letter, the committee warned that legal protection and immunity available to Zuckerberg could be withdrawn if an apology was not issued within three days.

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