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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg issued an apology to the Indian government over the presence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfake content, and operational shortcomings on the company's platforms, according to government sources. The apology came during high-level meetings between Meta executives and officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), as the social media giant faced growing regulatory scrutiny in one of its largest markets. The discussions focused on platform accountability, content moderation, and compliance with Indian laws governing digital intermediaries.
During the meetings, government officials reportedly informed Meta that its role in selecting and promoting content through algorithms could affect its eligibility for "safe harbour" protection under India's Information Technology Act. Authorities argued that platforms actively determining what users see may not qualify as neutral intermediaries.
According to sources, Meta acknowledged concerns over its content moderation practices and expressed regret over operational errors, while also accepting that certain content had previously been promoted through paid amplification.
The apology was made amidst growing pressures on international technology corporations to enhance the measures that would prevent the spread of harmful material online. There have been recent efforts by the Indian authorities to enhance scrutiny of the social media firms regarding content moderation.
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Earlier this week, a parliamentary panel also raised concerns over the temporary removal of a Facebook post featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought an explanation from Meta's leadership. Separately, child protection authorities have launched inquiries into allegations related to harmful content appearing on Meta-owned platforms.
With changing rules and regulations, Meta is set to face increased pressure to make improvements in their moderation systems, work more closely with the government, and comply with the digital laws prevailing in that jurisdiction. While the tech giant has made sure to emphasize its willingness to cooperate with the government, recent events highlight the rising significance of governance and trust in the digital world.
