New Delhi: Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, seems to have found itself in new trouble in India, as Meta India’s Vice President of Public Policy, Shivnath Thukral, issued a public apology to the Indian government following a controversial statement by CEO Mark Zuckerberg during a podcast.
The Podcast That Sparked Outrage
In a recent episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast, Zuckerberg made a sweeping statement claiming that most incumbent governments, including the one in India, lost power in the election after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The comment did not sit well with India’s political leadership, particularly since the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had secured a decisive victory in the 2024 elections, reaffirming its mandate for a third term.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw responded sharply on social media, correcting Zuckerberg’s claim. He wrote: “As the world’s largest democracy, India conducted the 2024 elections with over 640 million voters. People of India reaffirmed their trust in NDA led by PM Narendra Modi’s leadership.”
“Mr Zuckerberg’s claim that most incumbent governments, including India in 2024 elections, lost post-COVID is factually incorrect. From free food for 800 million, 2.2 billion free vaccines, and aid to nations worldwide during COVID-19, to leading India as the fastest-growing major economy, PM Modi’s decisive 3rd-term victory is a testament to good governance and public trust. Meta, it’s disappointing to see misinformation from Zuckerberg himself. Let’s uphold facts and credibility,” it added.
This post drew further attention when Nishikant Dubey, a prominent Member of Parliament, added his voice to the criticism. He stated: “My committee will call Meta for this wrong information. Wrong information in any democratic country tarnishes the image of the country. The organisation will have to apologize to the Indian Parliament and the people here for this mistake.”
Amid mounting pressure, Thukral, Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy in India, commented directly on Vaishnaw’s post to issue an apology on behalf of the company: “Dear Honourable Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Mark’s observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in 2024 elections holds true for several countries, BUT not India. We would like to apologise for this inadvertent error. India remains an incredibly important country for Meta and we look forward to being at the heart of its innovative future.”
Dear Honourable Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw , Mark’s observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in 2024 elections holds true for several countries, BUT not India. We would like to apologise for this inadvertent error. India remains an incredibly important country…
— Shivnath Thukral (@shivithukral) January 14, 2025
Year of Troubles
The latest controversy adds to Meta’s already troubled history in India. Just last year, India’s Competition Commission (CCI) fined Meta $25.4 million and barred WhatsApp from sharing user data with other Meta-owned platforms for five years. The decision stemmed from WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy, which allowed data sharing across Meta platforms, sparking global backlash.
The CCI observed that this policy lacked transparency and failed to offer users an option to opt out of data sharing. The regulator also flagged concerns about excessive data collection, stating that such practices could lead to targeted advertising and consumer ‘stalking,’ constituting an abuse of Meta’s dominant market position.
In January 2025, Meta challenged the CCI’s decision in the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), arguing that the policy was misunderstood and that the investigation lacked merit. Meta requested an urgent hearing, citing significant implications for its operations in India.
The NCLAT bench, led by Chairperson Justice (Retd) Ashok Bhushan, is scheduled to hear the case on 16 January, that is tomorrow. However, the CCI has faced delays in its investigation due to court orders that granted Meta and WhatsApp additional time to respond.
India’s Competition Regulator vs Meta
The roots of Meta’s legal challenges in India trace back to January 2021, when the CCI, acting on its own, launched an investigation into WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy. The regulator argued that the policy reduced user control over personal data and violated antitrust laws. Meta countered these claims by asserting that the privacy policy was already under scrutiny by the High Court and Supreme Court.
The controversy deepened when the CCI stated that it could not make significant progress in its probe due to Meta’s legal challenges. Meanwhile, public opinion soured as concerns about user data protection and privacy rights gained traction.
From data privacy concerns to misinformation allegations, Meta’s challenges in India, as well as, outside the borers seem to escalate year after year. The recent backlash over Zuckerberg’s podcast comment underscores the tech giant’s precarious relationship with the Indian government.
As one of Meta’s largest markets, India is critical to the company’s global strategy. Yet, its regulatory and political hurdles highlight the complexities of operating in a country where public sentiment and government policies demand the highest levels of accountability.
Whether it’s antitrust fines, parliamentary scrutiny, or public backlash, Meta’s journey in India remains fraught with challenges. The company’s ability to navigate these obstacles will likely determine its long-term prospects in the world’s largest democracy.
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