Meta India head Arun Srinivas booked over 'offensive' content on PM Modi
Investigators probe possible violation of law, try to trace source and users who created, uploaded and circulated such content
A case has been filed against Meta India head Arun Srinivas and several other social media users over the circulation of AI-generated morphed videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Meta-owned platforms like Facebook and Instagram during the Cockroach Janta Party's protest in Delhi.
According to reports, the cases were filed by Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police based on complaints of S Aravind Reddy, a businessman and T Saikiran Goud, a BJP activist in Telangana. The complainants alleged that they found several morphed and objectionable videos of Prime Minister Modi, portraying him in an obscene and derogatory manner, while browsing Instagram.
Content can mislead public: Complainants
“The comments contain offensive language, ridicule, and indecent remarks directed at the Hon’ble prime minister and other individuals depicted in the manipulated content, thereby amplifying the offensive nature of the posts and encouraging their wider circulation and engagement. The above content appears to have been digitally altered or AI-generated and circulated on social media,” NDTV quoted the complainants as saying.
Also read: Explained: Meta AI’s launch in India, its features, how to access it
The complainants also said that such content can mislead the public, spread misinformation, incite hatred or public unrest, outrage public decency, defame or insult the dignity of public figures, disturb public order, and promote hostility among different sections of society besides breaking the law.
Police zero in on origins, users
Reports quoting police sources said the investigators are probing possible violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act in the said content.
Police are also trying to trace the source of the AI-generated videos, how they were circulated across social media platforms and whether Meta’s existing safeguards were enough to arrest such circulation of content.
Also read: 26 staffers sue Meta over AI‑driven layoffs targeting workers on medical, parental leave
The investigation also seeks to examine the role of those accused of creating, uploading and sharing such content.
A few days ago, Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police had summoned Meta representatives to explain mechanisms the company followed to detect and remove AI-generated scams, fake advertisements and manipulated content.
Row over removal of PM’s post
In the thick of the students’ agitation, Meta rubbed the government the wrong way when a Facebook post of Prime Minister Modi was briefly restricted.
While Meta quickly restored the post and apologised, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology made it clear that it does not consider the company's explanation sufficient.
The government has now sought additional details and summoned Meta's Global Head of Public Policy and other executives.
Also read: Meta apologises after PM Modi's Facebook video got briefly removed
Meta wrote to the government on Wednesday outlining the specifics of enhanced and rigorous safeguards it has now implemented for content posted by the Prime Minister and other prominent accounts, according to sources.
Meta has informed the IT Ministry that posts by the Prime Minister and prominent accounts will have additional oversight on the platform and that multiple checks will take place at levels of senior company officials, sources said, citing the social media firm's communication to the ministry.
Meta team is likely to meet government officials later this week or early next week over the Prime Minister's Facebook post issue, sources added.