Meta's Growing Political Influence in India Draws Regulatory Scrutiny as Platform Becomes Protest Tool

Meta has significantly expanded its clout in India, the world's largest democracy, as Gen Z activists increasingly use Instagram to mobilize against the Modi government. The platform's central role in recent protests is now inviting closer scrutiny from Indian regulators concerned about Meta's outsized political influence.

Why it matters: As tech platforms become critical infrastructure for political organizing in major democracies, understanding Meta's regulatory vulnerabilities and influence dynamics in India signals broader tensions between Big Tech and governments over content moderation, data sovereignty, and platform accountability.