A delegation from Meta met with officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Friday to discuss the notice issued regarding the 'usernames' feature on its platforms. The meeting comes as Meta prepares to submit a detailed explanation within the stipulated three-day timeline.
Background of the Notice
The IT Ministry had earlier issued a notice to Meta seeking clarification on the 'usernames' feature, which allows users to create unique identifiers. The notice raised concerns about potential misuse and compliance with India's IT rules. Meta has been given three days to furnish a comprehensive response.
Details of the Meeting
According to sources, the Meta team, including senior policy executives, held discussions with IT Ministry officials to understand the specifics of the notice and to present preliminary views. The meeting was described as 'constructive,' with both sides exchanging perspectives on the feature's functionality and safeguards.
Meta's Response Timeline
Given the tight deadline, Meta is expected to submit its final reply as per the schedule. A company spokesperson stated, 'We are committed to complying with Indian laws and will provide a detailed explanation within the given timeframe.' The IT Ministry has not yet commented on the meeting's outcome.
Impact and Next Steps
The notice underscores the government's scrutiny of social media platforms' features that could impact user privacy or security. Meta's response will be crucial in determining any further regulatory actions. Industry experts believe this could set a precedent for how tech companies handle similar features in India.
