Kathmandu— Nishikant Dubey, chairperson of India's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, has demanded that Mark Zuckerberg issue an apology for removing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video addressing examination paper leaks from Facebook. If the apology is not forthcoming, the committee threatens to withdraw safe harbor protection under Section 79.

Committee's Stance on Video Removal

Dubey emphasized that Meta India has a history of removing content related to Indian political figures. He pointed out that Zuckerberg had previously apologized for similar incidents, suggesting an intention to destabilize the country. The committee is particularly concerned about the duration of the video's absence from Facebook—over four hours—and its implications on public communication.

The panel also questioned the viewership algorithms used by major social media platforms, alleging a bias towards new content over established political entities. Dubey highlighted that while BJP and other recognized parties have a combined viewership of 23 million, newer groups can achieve significant reach quickly due to these algorithms.

Meta's Response and Government Actions

In response to the incident, Meta issued a statement on July 28, attributing the removal of PM Modi’s video to a technical error. However, this explanation has not satisfied government officials or the parliamentary committee.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) summoned Meta representatives over the brief takedown of the Prime Minister's video, with Secretary S Krishnan expressing dissatisfaction with the company's explanation. The cabinet had recently approved a bill aimed at preventing unfair means in public examinations, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.