The Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) strongly criticized Alphabet Inc's (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) Google, Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR), and Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: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.
