Meta Cannot Operate Under US Laws in India: Central Government Issues Strict Warning

In ongoing interactions between the Indian government and Big Tech, central authorities have delivered a stern message to Meta, emphasizing that digital platforms cannot function according to US laws in India and must be fully accountable to Indian society and laws.

Key Highlights:
- Regulatory Stand: Government officials stressed that while Article 19 guarantees freedom of speech, it is subject to reasonable restrictions, and digital platforms must maintain public trust.
- Safety and Content Concerns: Serious concerns were raised regarding the proliferation of deepfakes and illegal content. Mark Zuckerberg previously issued apologies concerning CSAM, deepfakes, and paid content boosting irregularities.
- Safe Harbor Revocation: Authorities indicated that Meta no longer qualifies for 'Safe Harbor' legal immunity under the IT Act as an intermediary because they actively curate and decide content visibility.