After PM row, new Meta protocols for VIP accounts

Meta (representative image)

NEW DELHI: After the temporary removal of PM Narendra Modi’s Facebook video a few days ago, Meta has introduced new protocols for handling the accounts of prominent individuals.Electronics and IT secretary S Krishnan told reporters on the sidelines of a CII event that Meta had informed govt that the additional safeguards were put in place after July 28. A meeting between Meta’s global officials and govt is also scheduled within the next 7-10 days, Krishnan said on Thursday.

Meta has expressed regret, examining their explanation, says government

Upcoming discussions between Meta and govt will cover both the policy and technical aspects of the incident, as well as Meta’s response to concerns raised by govt, electronics and IT secretary S Krishnan said Thursday. According to Krishnan, Meta has also written to govt expressing regret over the episode and outlining its understanding of the reasons behind removal of the video.“The company has expressed regret, and we will be meeting their global officials in the next 7-10 days,” Krishnan said, adding govt is continuing to examine Meta’s explanation.

The development follows ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) summoning Meta’s senior global executives over the brief removal of PM’s Facebook post. Govt officials had earlier said they were not satisfied with the company’s explanation that the takedown was caused by an automated error and maintained the matter was ‘far from settled’. Krishnan said govt is examining representations submitted by messaging platforms regarding the proposed introduction of usernames, an issue on which MeitY had recently sought responses from companies.PM’s video was uploaded on July 23 during the CJP-led protests over alleged examination paper leaks. Meta later apologised over its removal on July 28, saying the content had been “removed in error” and that it was not the result of any govt directive or content policy action.