Meta faces legal challenges in India over copyright strikes and user data requests

Legal and digital rights challenges are mounting against major tech platforms in India regarding content moderation and user privacy.

Stand-up comedian Pulkit Mani has filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court against Meta, Google, WhatsApp, and Microsoft following what he describes as fraudulent copyright strikes. Mani alleges that Meta removed reels containing his own comedy special based on generic, identical Turkish-language complaints from anonymous accounts. While Meta has since restored the content and pledged to disclose the identities behind the complaints, the case highlights the difficulties independent creators face when navigating automated in-app appeals and big tech policies.

Simultaneously, the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has raised alarms regarding Delhi Police requests to Meta. The IFF claims that police have sought identifying information from social media creators who posted content related to the Jantar Mantar protests. The digital rights group also reported that Instagram has restricted or removed various posts, videos, and reels documenting police actions and injuries at the protests, citing legal requirements. The IFF noted that some creators received notices from Meta regarding valid legal processes without specific details regarding the alleged offenses or the issuing officers.