Politics – Kejriwal Targets Centre as Meta Faces Tough Questions Over Content Moderation
Politics – Digital platform accountability and government scrutiny remain at the centre of India’s technology and political debate.- Arvind Kejriwal intensified his criticism of the Union government on Friday while the Centre continued its scrutiny of Meta over concerns related to content moderation, illegal material on its platforms, and compliance with Indian laws.
Kejriwal Criticises Government Over Regulatory Approach
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was introducing laws aimed at protecting himself rather than serving the interests of citizens. Posting on X, Kejriwal claimed the Prime Minister had entered into a confrontation with the people of the country and argued that several supporters who once backed the government were becoming disillusioned due to issues such as examination paper leaks and the implementation of E20 fuel.
According to Kejriwal, these developments have led to growing dissatisfaction among sections of the public. His comments came at a time when the government has stepped up its engagement with global technology companies over platform accountability and compliance with Indian regulations.
Meta Under Government Scrutiny
The political remarks coincided with reports that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had expressed regret to the Indian government over multiple issues, including the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video from Facebook.
Sources indicated that the discussions also covered concerns surrounding Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), deepfake content, and shortcomings in the company’s content moderation processes. Government officials reportedly questioned whether Meta was fully adhering to the legal framework applicable in India.
According to sources, the company acknowledged operational errors during its engagement with government representatives and apologised for lapses linked to illegal content appearing on its platforms.
Questions Raised Over Legal Protection
Officials familiar with the discussions said the government informed Meta that the company could not automatically claim the legal protections available to intermediaries under the Information Technology Act if it actively determines the distribution of content to users.
The issue of safe harbour protection has become a key point in the ongoing discussions, with authorities examining whether the company’s practices fall within the legal definition of an intermediary. The government’s position signals a stricter approach towards technology platforms operating in India.
Senior Officials Hold High-Level Meeting
Earlier this week, a senior Meta delegation headed by Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan met Electronics and Information Technology Secretary S. Krishnan. During the meeting, which lasted around 45 minutes, company representatives reportedly explained the circumstances that led to the mistaken removal of the Prime Minister’s Facebook video.
The interaction formed part of the government’s broader review of Meta’s operational procedures and its handling of sensitive content across its digital platforms.
Investigation Into Illegal Content Continues
The Centre is also examining allegations that advertisements connected to Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) appeared on Meta-owned platforms. Sources said the company admitted that unlawful content had been promoted and that certain paid advertisements had reached targeted audiences.
Officials are expected to call Meta representatives for additional discussions as the investigation progresses and authorities seek further clarification on the company’s moderation systems and compliance measures.
Parliamentary Panel Also Monitoring Developments
The controversy has also reached Parliament, where the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has taken note of the matter. The committee had previously sought an unconditional apology from Mark Zuckerberg over the removal of the Prime Minister’s video from Facebook.
Members of the panel also indicated that if serious violations are established during the ongoing examination, Meta’s legal immunity in India could come under renewed scrutiny. The developments highlight the increasing focus on the responsibilities of large digital platforms and their obligations under Indian law.