New Delhi, August 5, 2026 — A Parliamentary standing committee has demanded a personal apology from Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg. The panel warned that Meta could lose its safe harbour protection in India if Zuckerberg fails to comply within three days.
What happened?
The controversy started on July 28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Facebook video disappeared for about five to six hours. The video showed Modi addressing students and Gen Z about exam paper leaks and strict action against cheats.
When users tried to view the video, they saw a notice. The notice claimed the content was withheld after a legal request. Meta later called it a “technical error”. The company restored the video and apologised.
Panel’s strong reaction
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology took up the issue. Committee chairman Nishikant Dubey said the removal was very serious. He called it an “attack on democracy”.
Dubey said Meta’s apology was not enough. He demanded a personal apology from Zuckerberg. The committee also asked for action against the official responsible for the takedown.
Safe harbour warning
The panel issued a three-day ultimatum. If Zuckerberg does not apologise, the committee will recommend withdrawing Meta’s safe harbour protection. This protection comes under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act.
Section 79 shields online platforms from liability for user content. Platforms get this protection if they act as neutral intermediaries and follow due diligence rules. Losing this shield would increase Meta’s legal exposure in India.
What the letter says
In a letter to the Ministry of Electronics and IT, a Lok Sabha secretariat director stated the committee’s stance. The letter said protection and immunity for Zuckerberg may be withdrawn without an unconditional apology.
The committee also questioned Meta representatives during the meeting. BJP MPs asked who authorised the removal. They sought clarity on accountability. Members also raised concerns about algorithmic bias and content moderation.
Meta officials expressed regret. They said the removal was a technical glitch. But MPs insisted on fixing responsibility. They want legal action against the person who took down the video.
