Meta India representatives appeared before India’s National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) after the child rights body summoned the company’s managing director and head over serious allegations involving Instagram advertisements.

The inquiry follows a BBC investigation that alleged paid Instagram advertisements were being used to promote child sexual exploitation and abuse material, with users reportedly directed to Telegram channels where such material was allegedly sold.

The NCPCR took suo motu cognizance of the report and later opened a formal inquiry after reviewing Meta’s response. Separately, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed Delhi Police to investigate the allegations and examine whether Meta and other concerned entities complied with mandatory reporting obligations under the POCSO Act.

Both proceedings are currently focused on establishing the facts and determining whether any legal or regulatory obligations were breached.

Meta India Faces Child Rights Probe Over Alleged Instagram Ads Linked To Child Abuse Material

Narendra Modi government has acknowledged the threat posed by Big Tech, particularly Google and Meta to digital platforms of legacy news publishers. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently called for greater accountability and fairness from Big Tech, highlighting the four critical challenges facing news media.

On the occasion of National Press Day, the Union Minister said fake news, algorithmic bias, artificial intelligence, and fair compensation are the main issues in front of the media today.

His comments are like music to the ears of India's digital news media sector which has been raising the matter of the monopolistic practices of Big Tech for the past few years. They have been trying to inform policymakers about the existential threats facing the media sector, particularly at the hands of Google and Meta.&nbsp;

They say that there is an urgent need for regulations to safeguard the interests of the digital news industry and help it survive. The media industry says that these companies profit from the content produced by Indian news organisations. However, they are not compensated adequately for their efforts. This has led to a question mark on the very existence of digital news media in India.

Right now, they are at the mercy of these companies who dictate their terms irrespective of the problems facing the industry. There is a lack of transparency and no room for negotiation or revenue-sharing. The Indian media industry is forced to toe the line without having their concerns heard.

Several countries have intensified probes into the anti-trust practices followed by Big Tech. Australia, Europe, the UK, Canada, and the USA have been at the forefront of this fight. The governments there are contemplating strict regulations and frameworks against these giants to ensure fair competition.

In India, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has started investigations into the practices of these companies. However, a detailed report is still awaited. 
&nbsp;

Narendra Modi government has acknowledged the threat posed by Big Tech, particularly Google and Meta to digital platforms of legacy news publishers. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently called for greater accountability and fairness from Big Tech, highlighting the four critical challenges facing news media.

Narendra Modi government has acknowledged the threat posed by Big Tech, particularly Google and Meta to digital platforms of legacy news publishers. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently called for greater accountability and fairness from Big Tech, highlighting the four critical challenges facing news media. On the occasion of National Press Day, the Union Minister said fake news, algorithmic bias, artificial intelligence, and fair compensation are the main issues in front of the media today. His comments are like music to the ears of India's digital news media sector which has been raising the matter of the monopolistic practices of Big Tech for the past few years. They have been trying to inform policymakers about the existential threats facing the media sector, particularly at the hands of Google and Meta. They say that there is an urgent need for regulations to safeguard the interests of the digital news industry and help it survive. The media industry says that these companies profit from the content produced by Indian news organisations. However, they are not compensated adequately for their efforts. This has led to a question mark on the very existence of digital news media in India. Right now, they are at the mercy of these companies who dictate their terms irrespective of the problems facing the industry. There is a lack of transparency and no room for negotiation or revenue-sharing. The Indian media industry is forced to toe the line without having their concerns heard. Several countries have intensified probes into the anti-trust practices followed by Big Tech. Australia, Europe, the UK, Canada, and the USA have been at the forefront of this fight. The governments there are contemplating strict regulations and frameworks against these giants to ensure fair competition. In India, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has started investigations into the practices of these companies. However, a detailed report is still awaited.

Modi govt acknowledges existential threat posed by Big Tech to digital news media in India

Let us take a look at stories generating interest across WION's social media channels.

Trending on WION: Sandhya Devanathan appointed as Meta's new India head

A spate of resignations has hit Meta in India with its WhatsApp head Abhijit Bose and Rajiv Agarwal both quitting. Abhijit Bose was head of Indian operations while Agarwal is Director of Public Policy Meta India, have resigned from their positions

World Business Watch: WhatsApp India head Abhijit Bose steps down

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Meta India Faces Child Rights Probe Over Alleged Instagram Ads Linked To Child Abuse Material

Modi govt acknowledges existential threat posed by Big Tech to digital news media in India

Trending on WION: Sandhya Devanathan appointed as Meta's new India head

World Business Watch: WhatsApp India head Abhijit Bose steps down