“Mark Zuckerberg Must Apologise To PM Modi Within 3 Days Or Else…”: Meta Faces Safe Harbour Threat After Facebook Video Row

A fresh controversy has erupted between Meta and Indian authorities after a parliamentary committee issued a strong warning to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg over the temporary removal of a video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Facebook.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, headed by Nishikant Dubey, has demanded an “unqualified apology” from Zuckerberg within three days. The committee has also warned that failure to comply could result in action against Meta’s legal protection under Section 79 of India’s Information Technology Act.

Why Did the Meta Controversy Begin?

The issue started after a video shared by PM Narendra Modi on Facebook was temporarily removed from the platform. The video was aimed at India’s youth and highlighted government measures taken against exam paper leaks.

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According to reports, the video remained unavailable for nearly five hours before being restored. Meta later described the incident as an accidental technical glitch and expressed regret over the temporary removal.

However, the parliamentary panel rejected Meta’s explanation, stating that the incident raised serious concerns regarding platform accountability and content moderation practices.

Panel Issues Warning Over Safe Harbour Protection

On August 5, 2026, the committee sent a communication to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), highlighting its concerns over the incident.

The panel warned that if Mark Zuckerberg does not provide an apology within the given timeframe, Meta’s intermediary protection under Section 79(3) of the IT Act could face action.

The Safe Harbour protection allows social media platforms to avoid direct liability for third-party content posted by users, provided they follow Indian laws and regulations.

Meta’s Response So Far

Meta has maintained that the removal of the video was not intentional and happened due to a technical issue. The company has acknowledged the problem and restored the content.

However, the parliamentary committee has argued that a technical explanation alone is not sufficient and has demanded greater accountability from global technology companies operating in India.

What Happens Next?

The controversy has put the spotlight on the relationship between big technology companies and Indian regulations. The next few days could be crucial as authorities wait for Meta’s response to the committee’s demand.

The matter has also reignited discussions around digital platforms, content moderation, free expression, and responsibility of social media companies in India.