Mark Zuckerberg Apologises to India Over CSAM, Deepfakes and Modi Video Removal
Mark Zuckerberg Apologises to India Over CSAM, Deepfakes and Modi Video Removal
New Delhi , Aug 5 : Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has formally apologised to the Indian government and a parliamentary panel on Information Technology, addressing a string of serious concerns about the company's operations in the country.
The apology covers three major issues: the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Meta's platforms, the proliferation of deepfake content, and operational errors — including the temporary removal of a Facebook video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 23.
The Modi video removal had triggered a strong backlash. A parliamentary committee, chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, gave Meta a three-day ultimatum to issue an "unqualified apology," warning that failure to comply could see the company stripped of its safe harbour protection under Section 79 of India's IT Act. Meta had earlier called the removal a technical glitch and restored the video, but the committee was not satisfied with that explanation alone.
Government sources say Meta representatives also admitted during discussions with officials that significant sums were spent boosting certain types of content on the platform, and expressed regret over the lapse. A high-level Meta delegation met IT Secretary S. Krishnan and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi to discuss the matter directly.
Officials indicated that Meta was told it may not be covered under India's "intermediary" definition given its role in content promotion and moderation decisions — a status that, if lost, would expose the company to greater legal liability for content on its platforms.
This is not the first time Meta has had to walk back a Zuckerberg statement concerning India. In 2024, the company apologised after Zuckerberg incorrectly claimed India was among the countries where incumbent governments lost power due to their COVID-19 response.
The developments mark one of the most significant regulatory flashpoints between Meta and the Indian government in recent years, with safe harbour protections and platform accountability now squarely in focus.
[ Zuckerberg Apology, Meta India, CSAM Content, Deepfake Crackdown, Modi Video Removal, Safe Harbour Protection ]
#Zuckerberg #MetaIndia #FacebookApology #DeepfakeAlert #DigitalIndia #ITAct2026
