MeitY will request clarification from Meta regarding the problem and the steps taken to address it.
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnao has directed officials at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to summon Meeta over Instagram ads allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material (CSAM), sources said on Friday.
According to sources, MeitY will seek clarification from Meta regarding the issue and the steps the company has taken to address it.
This is the second time this week that the Center has cracked down on Meta.
The center’s campaign on WhatsApp
The government on Wednesday issued a notice to the company over the proposed username feature for WhatsApp, warning that it may significantly increase the risks of online fraud, phishing, digital arrests and impersonation.
The Center directed Meta to suspend the rollout of the feature until consultations with the government are completed to its satisfaction.
The government also asked Meta to explain why no action was taken under the Information Technology Act and related rules on the proposed feature, saying it could facilitate cyber crimes. The company also reminded that WhatsApp, as an important social media intermediary, is required to comply with due diligence obligations under the Information Technology Act and its rules.
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