The 72-hour crisis that could upend Meta’s business in India as firm risks losing legal protection

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repositioned the social media giant as an AI company. Vincent Feuray | AFP | Getty ImagesTensions are high between Meta Platforms and Indian regulators after the company came under fire in the country twice in short succession. The tech behemoth briefly restricted a Facebook post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing students during the Gen Z protests in July, just days after regulators summoned the company over concerns about child-abuse content. While it later said the restriction was due to an "error," initially the post reportedly indicated the content was blocked due to a "legal request."A parliamentary panel on Wednesday demanded an apology from Mark Zuckerberg within three days for the restriction on Modi's post — failing which it recommends revoking the social media giant's safe harbor immunity in the country. This would make Meta liable for the user-generated content on its platform.India is a key market for Meta, with the largest user bases for WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, and legal experts told CNBC that it would become almost impossible for Meta to operate in the country if the safe harbor protection is withdrawn.They added, howev...