Indian minister sues Meta, others over ethanol posts

NEW DELHI: India’s road transport minister Nitin Gadkari sued Meta and other tech giants on Tuesday, seeking $1.14 million in damages over what he said were defamatory social media posts linking him to the country’s ethanol-blending fuel programme.

The lawsuit comes as the Indian government pushes ahead with its E20 biofuel strategy aimed at reducing its dependence on imported oil and lowering emissions.

E20 petrol, a fuel containing 20 percent ethanol, has come under scrutiny after viral social media posts alleged it harms engines and raises maintenance costs in vehicles designed for lower ethanol blends.

Gadkari filed the suit in the Bombay High Court, alleging that content circulated online falsely portrayed him as being personally responsible for the government’s E20 policy, his office told AFP.

The suit also claimed the posts accused Gadkari and his family of profiting from the initiative.

Gadkari is seeking 110 million rupees ($1.14 million) in damages, arguing that the “deepfake” posts and videos were causing “irreparable harm” to his reputation.

There was no immediate response from Meta to a request from AFP for comment about Gadkari’s lawsuit.

Apart from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, the suit also names X Corp, Google and other entities, Indian media reported.

India has the highest number of Facebook and Instagram users in the world, making it one of Meta’s most important markets by reach and engagement.

The government has steadily expanded regulations governing social media platforms, asking them to remove content and follow government takedown orders.