Meta Apologizes for Zuckerberg's India Election Remarks

Meta has issued an apology following remarks by its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, that incorrectly suggested India's incumbent government lost the 2024 elections due to its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The apology was made by Meta India's Vice President, Shivnath Thukral, after backlash from Indian officials, including BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who criticized the misinformation as damaging to India's democratic image. Thukral clarified that while Zuckerberg's observations were true for several countries, they did not apply to India, reaffirming the nation's significance to Meta. The apology is seen as a 'victory' by Dubey, who heads the parliamentary committee on communications and information technology, highlighting the importance of accuracy in statements by global tech executives. The incident underscores the sensitivity around international statements about India's political landscape and the impact of misinformation from influential figures.