US Big Tech Faces Heat In India Over Fake News

The Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) strongly criticized Alphabet Inc's GOOG GOOGL Google, Twitter Inc TWTR, and Meta Platforms Inc FB for their inaction on fake news, Reuters reports.

• The fake news compelled the Indian government to order content takedowns, which drew international criticism that authorities suppressed free expression.
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• The tense and heated signaled a new low in ties between American tech giants and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration.
• The meeting followed the I&B ministry's use of "emergency powers" in December and January to order the blocking of 55 channels on Google's YouTube platform and some Twitter and Facebook accounts.
• The government alleged promoting "fake news" or "anti-India" content by accounts based in neighboring Pakistan.