Meta restricted two Instagram posts by the Human Rights Forum (HRF) in India on May 31 related to Google’s AI data center project in Andhra Pradesh, according to medianama.com. The posts included a reel publicizing an online petition demanding transparency and accountability for the proposed data center projects. HRF condemned the censorship and demanded immediate restoration and a clear explanation from Meta.
The restricted content included a reel seeking accountability and an informative post documenting ongoing work at the proposed Vizag Hyperscale Data Center site in Adavivaram. Meta did not display any notice indicating the restriction in India; instead, Instagram redirected users to unrelated algorithm-recommended reels unless accessed via VPN, where the original content remained available. This action followed a similar restriction on the Environmental Reporting Collective’s documentary-like reel about the same data center.
The censorship highlights growing concerns over transparency and freedom of expression regarding large tech infrastructure projects in India. Google’s AI data center in Andhra Pradesh is a significant investment, and public scrutiny is increasing around its environmental and social impact. The restrictions on HRF’s posts add to ongoing debates about digital rights and content moderation policies by major platforms like Meta in India.
HRF has formally demanded that Meta restore the removed content and provide a detailed, itemized explanation citing the legal basis and policy provisions for the restrictions. The posts remain geo-restricted in India but accessible via VPN, underscoring ongoing tensions between civil society groups and social media platforms over content governance.
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