Meta has come under intense scrutiny after the accidental removal of a video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During a recent meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, lawmakers made it clear that a simple apology would not be enough and stressed the need for greater accountability from digital platforms.

The meeting, chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, focused on the regulation of social media platforms and digital services. Senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Ministry of Home Affairs, and representatives from leading technology companies attended the session.

Top Tech Companies Questioned

Representatives from several major technology firms, including Meta, Google, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Snapchat, appeared before the committee to answer questions related to digital governance, platform responsibility, and user safety.

The participation of senior government officials highlighted the importance being placed on issues such as online security, content moderation, and accountability of digital platforms.

PM Modi Video Removal Sparks Debate

A key issue discussed during the meeting was the removal of a video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi from one of Meta's platforms.

Lawmakers questioned Meta officials about the incident, seeking an explanation for how such an error occurred. According to the company's representatives, the video was removed unintentionally due to a mistake, and Meta expressed regret for the incident.

However, committee members reportedly stated that an apology alone was not sufficient, given the sensitivity of the matter.

Committee Calls for Greater Accountability

Members of the parliamentary panel emphasized that the issue extends beyond a single error and raises broader questions about the accountability of digital platforms.

According to discussions during the meeting, lawmakers expressed concern that if such a mistake could occur with content related to the country's Prime Minister, similar errors could also affect ordinary users.

The committee reportedly directed that the incident be thoroughly investigated, those responsible be identified, and appropriate legal action be considered in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Focus on Strengthening Digital Oversight

The discussion reflects the government's increasing focus on improving oversight of social media platforms and ensuring that technology companies follow established rules for content moderation and platform governance.

The committee's observations indicate that digital platforms may face closer scrutiny in the future, with greater emphasis on transparency, accountability, and compliance when handling user content.