The apology comes amid government action over child safety, AI-generated content and platform accountability
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has apologised to the Indian government over the presence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and other harmful content on the company’s platforms, acknowledging operational lapses amid mounting scrutiny from Indian authorities.
According to sources, Zuckerberg’s apology came after the Indian government intensified its engagement with Meta over multiple issues, including child safety, deepfake content, algorithmic moderation and the recent controversy surrounding the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s Facebook video.
The apology is understood to cover concerns over the circulation of child sexual abuse material on Meta-owned platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, as well as shortcomings in the company’s content moderation systems. The Centre has been pressing the social media giant to strengthen safeguards and improve the detection and removal of such content.
The development comes as Meta faces increasing pressure in India on several fronts. A parliamentary committee has sought a personal apology from Zuckerberg over the temporary takedown of the Prime Minister’s video, while also warning that digital intermediaries could face action if they fail to comply with Indian laws governing harmful content and platform accountability.
Government agencies have also been examining Meta’s handling of AI-generated misinformation, algorithmic bias and online child safety, with senior company executives recently holding meetings with officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Meta has assured the government that it is committed to strengthening its safety protocols, enhancing moderation systems and cooperating with Indian authorities to address concerns related to online abuse, illegal content and platform security.
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