Meta-Govt Talks Continue: US Laws Can't Apply in India, Say Sources on Algorithm Compliance

The ongoing discussions between the Indian government and Meta over content moderation have entered a new phase, with the company's global team holding further meetings with officials on Thursday. The talks focus on Meta's compliance with Indian laws, a day after the company apologised for briefly removing a video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to sources cited by PTI, Meta's global team is expected to remain in India for another three to four days, with additional meetings planned with government officials. The discussions are also expected to cover issues related to WhatsApp, the messaging platform owned by Meta.

The government is seeking detailed information on Meta's algorithms, content moderation systems, compliance mechanisms, and safeguards, including the systems used to detect child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and deepfake content. Government sources told ANI that platforms cannot be run in India as per US laws, describing these as technical matters that need to be fully understood. "All platforms have a responsibility towards society and the law, like all institutions," the sources added.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is scheduled to meet Meta's global team on Thursday, while ministry officials will continue discussions with the company's technical teams. Sources said Meta has already issued a public statement, and technical details, along with logs, are expected to be discussed during the meetings. The government is also in regular contact with other major platforms, including X and Telegram, on similar issues.

The fresh round of talks follows Meta's apology to the government for the brief removal of PM Modi's video from Facebook. Joel Kaplan, Meta's chief global affairs officer, said he apologised to Vaishnaw "on behalf of Meta for the error restricting PM Modi's post."

The government has also raised concerns over CSAM, deepfake content, and Meta's content moderation systems. Additionally, it has questioned Meta's compliance with Indian laws and its eligibility for safe-harbour protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, which provides intermediaries protection from liability for third-party content subject to certain conditions.

Section 79 is a legal provision that shields online platforms from being held liable for user-generated content, provided they act as neutral intermediaries and promptly remove illegal content upon notification. The government's scrutiny of Meta's practices suggests it is examining whether the company meets these conditions.

The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for how social media platforms operate in India, particularly regarding content moderation, algorithm transparency, and legal accountability. The government's stance underscores its position that foreign companies must adhere to domestic laws and regulations.

Both sides are expected to continue talks over the coming days, with the focus on resolving technical and compliance issues. The developments are being closely watched by industry observers, as India represents one of the largest markets for social media platforms globally.