India Targets Meta in New Content Moderation Dispute

Police in the Indian city of Hyderabad have opened a criminal investigation into Meta India's head over Facebook videos that authorities said depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an offensive manner. The announcement was made by V. Aravind Babu, deputy commissioner of police for cybercrime.

Police said they would send an official notice to Meta as part of the investigation.

The case is the latest dispute between Meta and the Indian government over content moderation. Earlier this week, India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology summoned Meta representatives after Facebook briefly restricted a video posted by Modi.

Meta later said the restriction had been applied in error and restored the post. In the video, Modi commented publicly for the first time on nationwide student protests over the NEET examination paper leak, promising tougher action against those responsible.

The protests have triggered widespread criticism, satire and mockery of the prime minister on social media. India is Meta's largest market by number of Facebook users.

(reuters, lud)