The Ministry of Information and Technology has summoned Meta’s global leadership, including the company’s chief global affairs officer, Joel Kaplan, for a meeting as it aims to step up the scrutiny of the social media giant over issues ranging from algorithm bias and public order to child sexual abuse material.”If they operate in India, which is their largest market, they will have to follow Indian law,” an official familiar with the matter said.
The date for the summon has not yet been revealed. However, speculations are the meeting can be held anytime next week. The company’s official are also expected to appear before a Parliamentary panel.
Officials familiar on the matter have said the centre has conveyed its concern to the company over the posts that could affect public order, content that fails to meet the platform’s own community standards in handling of CSAM. It further added that presence of such content could have implications the company’s safe harbor protections under Indian law.
The government has also specifically asked Meta to send their technical representatives from Instagram, signaling that officials intend to seek detailed explanation how the platform performed and how algorithms function.
During the meeting, the officials are expected to be questioned on allegations of algorithm bias, the operation of its recommender systems and moderation mechanisms, and the broader role of meta’s platforms in Indian administration.