The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has summoned Meta, X, Snapchat, and Google to appear before the panel on August 3, 2026 at 4 PM, according to The Hindu Business Line. The meeting is set to evaluate the broader framework of online safety, the report said, focusing on three core areas: ensuring the digital safety of women and children, safeguarding the data privacy of farmers, rural residents, labourers and general citizens, and assessing how social media platforms comply with government rules governing law and order.
What the panel will scrutinize
The panel, chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, has outlined the specific areas of inquiry for the digital platforms, as per The Hindu Business Line.
"On 3 August 2026 at 4 PM, our Parliamentary Committee on IT and Communication has summoned Meta (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp), X (Twitter), Snapchat, and Google," Dubey said. "How will the privacy of women, children, farmers, rural folks, labourers, and the general public be protected? How do these companies ensure the government's public order?"
The committee's focus areas, according to the report, are:
| Focus Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Digital safety of women and children | Protection of women and children in the digital environment |
| Data privacy of citizens | Safeguarding data privacy of farmers, rural residents, labourers and general citizens |
| Law and order compliance | Assessing how social media platforms comply with government rules governing law and order |
The Meta video removal incident
The development follows an incident involving Meta, according to The Hindu Business Line. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook video addressing action against examination paper leaks was briefly removed from the platform before being restored. "The content was removed in error and has since been restored," a Meta spokesperson said, attributing the removal to a technical error.
Background and legislative response
The video, released on July 23, marked Prime Minister Modi's first direct address to Gen Z during the 36-day-long Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led agitation over the NEET-UG 2026 examination irregularities. In the address, the Prime Minister assured students that the government would strengthen the legal framework against paper leaks, including setting up Special Fast-Track Courts and introducing stricter punishment through fresh legislation, The Hindu Business Line reported.
The Centre subsequently introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing imprisonment of up to 10 years, enhanced monetary penalties and Special Fast-Track Courts for offences under the Act, according to the report. The student agitation was called off on July 25 after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. The Centre also reached an understanding with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and activist Sonam Wangchuk to withdraw cases against protesters, prevent police intimidation and bring stronger anti-paper leak legislation.
Timeline of events
- July 23: PM Modi releases video on Facebook addressing exam paper leaks.
- July 25: Student agitation called off; Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
- August 3: Parliamentary panel meets Meta, X, Snapchat, and Google.
Regulatory scrutiny of platforms
The summons puts the spotlight on how social media companies operating in India handle user data and content governance, according to The Hindu Business Line. The committee is evaluating the broader framework of online safety, and the companies are required to appear before the panel at 4 PM, as per the report. The panel's chairperson publicly announced the specific areas of inquiry, which the report said centre on privacy protection and compliance with the government's public order rules.
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