Internet unbound: On the summoning of Meta staff

India has summoned Meta's senior staff to reprimand them over the brief removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video message from the platforms Meta owns, Facebook and Instagram. While the government has not explicitly stated its intention, it is clear they wish to limit the dissemination of protest content like the one at Jantar Mantar.

The government's actions come after a series of takedown notices which have had an impact on prominent forms of protest expression, such as Instagram Reels. This move would place India alongside countries like Pakistan, who banned TikTok for a period due to its content policies. Moreover, it would bring India closer to China's tightly controlled digital environment where dissent is swiftly eradicated.

The likely barrier to this outcome is India's limited ability to monitor content in real-time, a challenge that could potentially be addressed by an AI-driven solution. Despite Meta's role in facilitating Indian mobilization efforts, the company has shown reluctance to comply with Indian regulations, often removing posts under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 without court intervention.

This automatic compliance has set the stage for the government's efforts to exert control over the platform. The government's actions are based on the belief that warping public perception is detrimental to society, and must be prevented. These measures could be exploited by future governments if left unchecked. The current administration has misinterpreted the protests and their online manifestations as a fleeting phenomenon, not recognizing their significance in democratic societies.