Meta Loses India Public Policy Head
Shivnath Thukral, Meta's head of public policy in India, has resigned after more than seven years with the company. His departure comes just months after Google's counterpart in India also left their post. Thukral, who led Meta's public policy efforts in the South Asian market – the company's largest user base – since November 2022, cited a desire to pursue new opportunities. In a LinkedIn post, he acknowledged the significant progress made in building systems and processes within the team, indicating a belief in the team's capability to continue their work effectively.
Navigating Regulatory Challenges
Thukral's exit occurs amidst ongoing regulatory challenges for Meta in India. Recent successes, such as the resolution of a dispute concerning WhatsApp's data-sharing policy, are overshadowed by looming data privacy regulations and criticism from Indian telecommunication companies. The high number of WhatsApp users in India – exceeding 500 million – has led to concerns regarding spam and competition with traditional telecom services. Meta’s significant user base and the extensive use of Meta AI products in India further heighten the importance of navigating these complex regulatory issues. The company has yet to name Thukral’s replacement.
A Pattern of Departures
This departure follows a similar move by Google's public policy head in India earlier this year. The frequent turnover in these high-profile roles highlights the demanding nature of navigating the intricate and evolving regulatory landscape in India's tech sector. The lack of immediate successors at both companies suggests a period of uncertainty and potential strategic adjustments for both organizations as they adapt to the changing regulatory environment.
Kevin Martin, Meta's VP and head of global policy, expressed gratitude for Thukral's contributions and wished him well in his future endeavors. The ongoing regulatory uncertainty and the absence of immediate replacements highlight the significance of this development for both Meta and the broader Indian technology landscape.
Source: TechCrunch