Meta Platforms has apologised after a selfie-style video posted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefly removed from Facebook before being restored.

In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said the content had been "removed in error" and was subsequently reinstated.

According to the company, the temporary takedown was the result of a technical issue rather than a deliberate moderation decision.

Government Summons Meta Executives

According to government sources, the Centre is treating the incident seriously and has summoned senior global executives from Meta and Instagram to explain the temporary removal.

The summons were reportedly issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

As of now, the government has not publicly disclosed further details about the inquiry or any potential action.

What Was in the Video?

The video, posted on July 23, featured Prime Minister Modi addressing students and discussing examination-related concerns, including paper leaks.

In the video, the Prime Minister said the government viewed examination irregularities seriously and would take strict action against those responsible. He also said efforts had been made to ensure examinations were conducted without unnecessary delays.

The message was shared amid public discussions and protests related to examination issues in the country.

Video Was Quickly Restored

The brief disappearance of the post was noticed by several political leaders and social media users, prompting questions about why the content had become unavailable.

After the issue was flagged, Meta restored the video and issued its apology, stating that the removal had occurred in error.

The company has not indicated that the video violated any of its content policies.

Government Review Underway

Officials said the government is examining the circumstances surrounding the temporary removal.

The review is expected to focus on how the error occurred and whether additional safeguards are needed to prevent similar incidents affecting official public communications in the future.

Neither Meta nor the government has announced any further action at this stage.

Why This Matters

The incident highlights the increasing scrutiny of content moderation decisions involving official government communications on major social media platforms. Even temporary removals of high-profile public content can raise questions about platform moderation processes, technical systems and transparency. The outcome of the government's review may influence future engagement between Indian authorities and global technology companies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why was PM Modi's Facebook video removed?

Meta said the video was removed in error due to a technical issue and was later restored.

Did Meta apologise?

Yes. The company issued a statement acknowledging that the removal was a mistake.

Has the Indian government responded?

According to government sources, the Centre has summoned senior Meta executives to seek an explanation for the temporary takedown.

Was the video restored?

Yes. Meta restored the video after identifying the error.

Has any action been announced against Meta?

No official action has been announced so far. The government is reviewing the incident.