'Platforms Can't Be Run in India As Per US Law': Govt Tells Meta on Compliance; Discussion on Whatsapp Expected Soon

New Delhi: Government sources have clarified that social media platforms operating in India must adhere to Indian laws rather than those of any other country.

“Platforms can’t be run in India as per US law. These are technical matters; every aspect is to be understood. The aim is to employ law for the benefit of our society. All platforms have a responsibility towards society and the law, like all institutions,” sources told ANI.

The sources added that Meta has already issued a public statement on the matter. Technical details, including logs, are scheduled for discussion today. The government is maintaining regular dialogue with major platforms, including Meta, X and Telegram.

Meta’s global team is expected to stay in India for a few more days, with three to four additional meetings planned. The upcoming rounds will also address issues related to WhatsApp. The central focus of these discussions is to evaluate whether Meta’s platforms are complying with Indian laws.

Earlier, Meta officials visited the office of Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in Delhi.

Social media platforms must exercise responsibility while ensuring freedom of speech and expression, Anup Sanjay Dhotre, Member of Parliament and Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, said on Thursday, commenting on the recent controversy involving Meta.

"Definitely, freedom of speech, freedom of expression. This has been a challenge that freedom of speech should have some limitations. So, not just Meta, but all the social media platforms, there has been exploitation, which is causing some people personal losses," Dhotre said while responding to the question asked by ANI on Meta row.

Referring to reports regarding the removal of a post related to the Prime Minister, Dhotre said the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee had sought an apology from Meta over the incident.

"That is one thing. And the other thing which was in the news was that the Prime Minister's post was taken down for some unknown reasons. Definitely, our Chairman has demanded an apology from Meta. I guess it is going to happen, and in some news it was reported that the chief of Meta has apologised," he said. As a result, Meta has apologised for the same.

Dhotre was speaking on the sidelines of the 3rd India International FinTech Festival 2026 organised by ASSOCHAM.

Addressing the inaugural session, Anup Sanjay Dhotre, Member of Parliament and Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, said India's rapid digital transformation has created immense opportunities, but the next stage of growth must be driven by technology-led employment, financial empowerment and stronger protection against cyber fraud.

"We need to move towards Viksit Bharat @2047 through technology-led job creation and financial empowerment with enhanced security against cyber frauds and financial scams. The focus areas must include promoting fintech innovations in sectors like agriculture and building scalable infrastructure and solutions through an industry-fintech-policy convergence," Dhotre said.

He added that India has now joined the league of countries offering world-class digital financial services. 

(With inputs from ANI)