‘Removed in Error’: Meta Says PM Modi’s Video Was Wrongly Blocked on Facebook

New Delhi: Meta has admitted that a Facebook video featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi was mistakenly removed from its platform, saying the action resulted from an enforcement error rather than a deliberate policy decision.

Responding to the controversy, the social media giant said the video was "removed in error" and was restored after the mistake was identified. The clarification came after the temporary takedown sparked criticism and prompted questions over the platform's content moderation practices.

A Meta spokesperson said the removal did not reflect the company's policies regarding political content but was the result of an incorrect enforcement action. The company added that it routinely reviews moderation decisions and restores content if it finds that it was removed by mistake.

The brief removal of the video triggered widespread discussion on social media, with users questioning how content featuring the Prime Minister was taken down. Several political leaders and supporters also reacted to the incident, calling for greater transparency in how social media platforms enforce their community standards.

Meta has not disclosed the specific moderation rule or automated system that led to the erroneous removal. However, the company said it continuously works to improve its review processes to minimise such mistakes, particularly for content related to public interest and current affairs.

The episode has once again highlighted the challenges faced by large social media platforms in moderating billions of posts while balancing automated detection systems with human review. Technology companies have frequently acknowledged that errors can occur, especially during high-volume content moderation.

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of online platforms over their handling of political content, misinformation and public-interest posts. Governments in several countries, including India, have urged digital platforms to ensure greater accountability and transparency in content moderation decisions.

Digital rights experts have noted that while automated moderation systems help platforms act quickly against harmful content, they can also mistakenly remove legitimate posts. Such incidents have fuelled calls for faster appeals processes and clearer explanations when content is taken down.

Meta said it remains committed to improving the accuracy of its moderation systems and ensuring that users can report incorrect enforcement actions. The company added that it reviews such cases promptly to prevent similar errors in the future.