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Technology
Meta's Growing Influence in India Sparks Regulatory Scrutiny
✍️ cnbc.com
🗓 30 Jul 2026, 11:39 AM
👁 1
Meta’s expanding presence in India has drawn attention from regulators, raising concerns over data privacy and market dominance.
Meta has become one of the most widely used social media platforms in India, with a user base that now exceeds 400 million. The company’s advertising revenue from the country has also seen a sharp rise, making India a key market for its global business model.
In recent weeks, the Indian government’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has signaled that it will review Meta’s data handling practices and its impact on local competition. The scrutiny comes amid growing concerns about user privacy and the concentration of digital advertising power.
Industry analysts warn that Meta’s dominance could stifle the growth of smaller local platforms, potentially limiting innovation in the sector. They argue that a more level playing field is needed to protect both consumers and emerging businesses.
Meta has responded by reaffirming its commitment to comply with Indian laws and to work closely with regulators. The company says it is investing in local infrastructure and data centers to better serve Indian users while maintaining privacy standards.
In recent weeks, the Indian government’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has signaled that it will review Meta’s data handling practices and its impact on local competition. The scrutiny comes amid growing concerns about user privacy and the concentration of digital advertising power.
Industry analysts warn that Meta’s dominance could stifle the growth of smaller local platforms, potentially limiting innovation in the sector. They argue that a more level playing field is needed to protect both consumers and emerging businesses.
Meta has responded by reaffirming its commitment to comply with Indian laws and to work closely with regulators. The company says it is investing in local infrastructure and data centers to better serve Indian users while maintaining privacy standards.