Govt likely to question Meta Executives on CSAM, WhatsApp usernames
New Delhi, Aug 4
The Centre is expected to meet senior executives from Meta on August 5 to seek explanations on a range of concerns, including the handling of child sexual abuse material, risks associated with WhatsApp usernames, and the treatment of verified and prominent accounts across its platforms, it was announced on Tuesday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of Voice of India, an independent multimodal artificial intelligence evaluation platform developed jointly by AI4Bharat and Josh Talks AI, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Secretary S Krishnan said the meeting would cover several issues that have recently raised concerns within the government.
Among the key topics likely to be discussed is Meta's handling of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
"The government wants to understand the steps the company has taken to curb the spread of such content on its platforms," Krishnan said.
"There are a range of issues. The issue of CSAM was raised with them, so we will want to understand what measures have been taken to tackle that," he added.
The government is also expected to raise concerns related to synthetically generated content and safeguards surrounding content removals involving prominent personalities and verified accounts.
"Adequate checks should be in place whenever content from verified users is taken down," Krishnan mentioned.
Senior officials are also likely to seek details on Meta's internal protocols for addressing these issues, why some of the existing mechanisms may not be functioning effectively, and the challenges the company faces in implementing them.
The meeting comes days after the government summoned Meta's President of Global Affairs, Joel Kaplan, to appear in person and explain the company's content moderation policies.
The summons followed the removal of a social media post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he addressed protesting students regarding measures being undertaken by the government to tackle examination paper leaks.
Meta later clarified that the post had been removed due to an error in its automated enforcement systems and apologised for the unintended takedown.
Meta has faced increasing scrutiny from the government over the past several weeks on multiple fronts.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology asked WhatsApp not to roll out its username feature until concerns related to impersonation, online fraud and cybercrime were adequately addressed.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm glad they're asking about WhatsApp usernames. My father got a scam call last month from someone using a fake username pretending to be a bank official. If they can't ensure safety with basic phone numbers, how will usernames make things better? The government should prioritize our cybersecurity over Meta's "innovation."
As someone working in tech policy, I think this is a delicate balance. Meta has global standards, but India is its largest market. The issue isn't just about CSAM or usernames—it's about digital sovereignty. I hope the meeting results in concrete action, not just assurances. At the same time, we need to be fair to them too. Every platform struggles with moderation at this scale.
I just want to say: Thank you to the government for actually paying attention to CSAM. Too many children are being exploited online, and platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp have become breeding grounds. It's not just about celebrities or the PM's post—it's about our kids' safety. I hope strict action is taken, no matter how big Meta is. 🙏
Honestly, I'm a little skeptical. These meetings happen, they shake hands, and nothing really changes. Meta has billions of users, and India generates so much revenue for them, but do they really respect our laws? The fact that the PM's post was removed due to a "glitch" shows how careless they are. I hope the IT Secretary makes them sweat this time.
The username feature on WhatsApp is dangerous in India, period. We already have so many phishing scams and cyber frauds. Imagine someone creating a username that matches your business or
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