Meta CEO apologises for CSAM, deepfake content; errors in operating platform, say sources
Meta executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, have apologized to the Indian government following issues regarding child safety content, deepfakes, and the brief restriction of a post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government has asserted that Meta does not qualify for 'intermediary' safe harbor protections due to its content-boosting practices.
Why it matters
This confrontation highlights the growing regulatory pressure on global social media platforms regarding content moderation and legal accountability in India.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has apologised for child abuse content, deepfakes and errors in operating the platform, sources said on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) after the company's global team met IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, following the government's recent summons over the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi' s post on Facebook.
Government sources said it was made clear to the Meta team that they are not covered under the 'intermediary' definition.
The social media platform selects who receives the content, and Safe harbour under the IT Act is not applicable, according to sources.
Meta team admitted that a lot of money was paid for boosting a certain type of content; they apologised and regretted the mistake, they added.
Meta team, including Global Affairs officer Joel Kaplan, on Wednesday (August 5, 2026) met IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and had a separate meeting with IT Secretary S. Krishnan.
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