Google, Meta Face Parliament Panel on IT Rules
Representatives of Google, Meta, X and Snapchat appeared before a parliamentary committee examining the regulation of social media platforms, online safety, data privacy and public order in India.
Social Media Platforms Face Parliament Panel
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology questioned the technology companies about their content-moderation systems, compliance with Indian laws and measures for protecting users.
Officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs also briefed the panel during the meeting. The committee sought information on safeguards for women, children, farmers, labourers, rural communities and other users.
The meeting was chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and formed part of a wider parliamentary examination of social and digital platform regulation.
Meta Questioned Over PM Modi Video
Meta faced questions over the temporary removal of a video featuring PM Modi discussing action against examination paper leaks. The company restored the content and said it had been removed because of an error.
Meta apologised for the incident, but Dubey demanded a personal apology from company chief Mark Zuckerberg. He warned that the committee could recommend reviewing Meta’s safe-harbour protection if the company failed to provide an adequate response.
Safe-harbour protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act generally shields digital intermediaries from liability for content posted by users, provided they meet statutory obligations.
Online Safety And Privacy Reviewed
The committee also examined how social media platforms detect unlawful content, protect personal information and respond to government directions. Concerns surrounding misinformation, abusive posts, artificial intelligence-generated material and digital mobilisation were part of the broader regulatory discussion.
The hearing follows increased scrutiny of online platforms over their role in circulating content connected to recent student protests. The companies are expected to explain how their systems balance user privacy, freedom of expression and compliance with public-order requirements.
