Meta vs India: Why Centre called the tech giant’s global team again

New Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will raise several concerns with Meta’s global representatives during meetings in India on August 5 and 6.

IT Secretary S Krishnan said discussions will focus on how Meta’s systems handle Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM), the spread of synthetic or AI-generated content, and the temporary restriction of posts from prominent verified accounts.

The government wants to understand why Meta’s existing systems failed in certain cases and what challenges the company faces in preventing such incidents.

CSAM concerns bring Instagram under scrutiny

One of the major issues expected to be discussed is the presence of child sexual exploitation material on Meta platforms, particularly Instagram.

The government had earlier issued a notice to Meta regarding concerns over CSEAM content appearing through paid advertisements on the platform.

Officials have sought details on what steps Meta has taken to prevent such content and strengthen its safety mechanisms. Meta has said it follows a zero-tolerance policy towards child exploitation content and uses artificial intelligence tools to detect and remove violations.

AI-generated content raises new challenges

The government will also discuss the growing challenge of AI-generated or synthetically created content on social media platforms.

Officials are seeking clarity on how Meta identifies misleading AI-generated material and prevents its misuse.

The issue has gained importance as artificial intelligence tools make it easier to create realistic images, videos, and other content that can spread misinformation online.

PM Modi post removal adds to concerns

The meeting comes after a recent controversy involving the temporary restriction of a Facebook post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The government had earlier sought an explanation from Meta’s global team over the incident and raised concerns about possible algorithmic bias.

IT Secretary S Krishnan said verified accounts belonging to prominent personalities require additional safeguards before content is removed or restricted.

Government seeks accountability from big tech platforms

The Centre has said it wants to understand whether Meta’s technology systems are functioning as expected and what improvements are needed.

According to officials, global technology companies with large user bases should have the capability to address safety concerns effectively.

The discussions will focus on improving content moderation, transparency, and accountability on major digital platforms.

WhatsApp changes and privacy concerns

Apart from Instagram and Facebook issues, the government is also expected to discuss upcoming changes to WhatsApp.

Meta is reportedly planning a username-based identity system that would allow users to connect without sharing phone numbers. While Meta presents the feature as a privacy measure, concerns have been raised over possible misuse, including impersonation, scams, and difficulties in tracking offenders during investigations.

The meetings reflect India’s broader effort to increase accountability among social media platforms operating in the country.

The government has been pushing technology companies to strengthen content monitoring, respond quickly to harmful material, and comply with Indian digital regulations.

The outcome of the discussions with Meta could influence future policies on AI-generated content, online safety, and platform responsibility in India.