India police file case against Meta India head over PM Modi posts

Key facts

• Hyderabad police registered a case against Meta India head Arun Srinivas.
• The case involves AI-generated morphed videos and objectionable content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Content was allegedly spread on Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
• Investigators are examining potential violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
• Police are tracing social media account operators responsible for the content.

Hyderabad police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Arun Srinivas, the head of Meta India, and several social media users. The case stems from the circulation of AI-generated morphed videos and other objectionable content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Meta's platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.

Investigators are probing potential violations of provisions within the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. The police are examining how these manipulated videos were amplified and whether Meta's existing safeguards were adequate to prevent their spread. This action follows a prior summoning of Meta representatives by the Cyber Crime Police to explain the company's mechanisms for detecting and removing AI-generated scams and manipulated content.

A Meta representative reportedly appeared before investigators to brief them on the company's content moderation and compliance measures. The FIR was lodged based on complaints from BJP supporters who alleged that derogatory and misleading content, including "obscene" videos and images, was circulated on social media. Some of the content allegedly depicted the Prime Minister, US President, and former Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan in a misleading manner.

Police stated that the investigation is in its preliminary stages and that further action will depend on the digital evidence gathered. While links cited in the complaints have reportedly become inactive, police are actively tracing the operators behind the social media accounts responsible for uploading and sharing the content.