Hyderabad Police Book Meta India Head Over Morphed Posts Targeting PM Modi

The Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have registered cases against Arun Srinivas, the India head of Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram), along with several Facebook and Instagram accounts, in connection with allegedly morphed and AI-generated posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The cases were filed following complaints that such content, circulated during recent student protests over the alleged NEET paper leak, portrayed the Prime Minister in an obscene and derogatory manner.

According to the police, the complaints were lodged by S. Aravind Reddy, a businessman, and T. Saikiran Goud, a Telangana BJP activist. Both complainants stated that while scrolling through Instagram, they encountered multiple digitally altered videos and images showing the Prime Minister in a negative light. The posts were reportedly accompanied by comments containing abusive and indecent language directed at the Prime Minister and other individuals featured in the content.

The complainants alleged that the material appeared to have been modified using artificial intelligence tools or other digital editing techniques. They further claimed that the content had the potential to spread misinformation, incite public unrest, outrage public decency, defame public figures, disturb public order, and promote hostility among different sections of society.

Police have also taken note of several other posts and comments linked to the student protests that allegedly contained abusive and profane content. An investigation is now underway to identify the individuals responsible for creating and circulating the material. As of now, no arrests have been reported in connection with the case.

The cases come against the backdrop of widespread student demonstrations in Hyderabad and other parts of the country over the alleged leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) question paper. The protest, which was organised by a group calling itself the 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP), saw students demanding a thorough inquiry and action against those responsible for the leak. During these protests, social media platforms witnessed a surge in posts, some of which were critical of the government and the Prime Minister.

Legal experts point out that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right, it comes with reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution, which includes provisions for maintaining public order and decency. Posting obscene or defamatory content, especially using morphed or AI-generated images, can attract penal provisions under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.

The police action against Meta India's head has raised questions about the liability of platform executives for content posted by users. In India, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, hold social media platforms accountable for removing unlawful content within a specified time frame after receiving a complaint. However, holding an executive personally liable is a separate legal question that will depend on the specifics of the case and the evidence gathered during investigation.

Neither Meta nor Mr. Srinivas has issued a public statement on the matter so far. The company has historically maintained that it takes action against content that violates its community standards, including content that is manipulated or contains hate speech.

The Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have stated that the investigation will focus on tracing the origin of the posts and identifying all accounts involved in their creation and dissemination. They have also urged citizens to report any content that appears to be fake or inciting in nature.

This case highlights the growing challenge of regulating misinformation and manipulated content on social media platforms, especially during sensitive events like large-scale public protests. As the investigation proceeds, it remains to be seen how the legal framework in India balances the need for accountability with the principles of free speech and digital rights.