Wed Jan 15 18:48:08 UTC 2025: ## Meta India Apologizes for Zuckerberg’s Misinformation on Indian Election Results

**NEW DELHI** – Meta India issued a formal apology Wednesday for CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s inaccurate claim that India’s ruling party lost the 2024 Lok Sabha elections due to its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The apology follows a summons warning from India’s Parliament’s Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology.

Zuckerberg made the statement during a podcast interview with Joe Rogan, asserting a global trend of incumbent parties losing elections due to pandemic-related issues. This claim was swiftly refuted by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who called Zuckerberg’s statement “disappointing misinformation.”

Following Vaishnaw’s fact-check, Committee Chairman Nishikant Dubey issued a warning that Meta India would be summoned to explain the remarks. Dubey also demanded a public apology.

Meta India Vice President Shivnath Thukral subsequently apologized via X (formerly Twitter), stating that while Zuckerberg’s observation about global election trends was correct for many countries, it was inaccurate regarding India. Thukral emphasized India’s importance to Meta.

Dubey has declared the matter closed following the apology, calling it a victory for Indian citizens. The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding election narratives and the impact of misinformation spread by prominent figures.

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