Twitter Submits Written Apology Over Map Depicting Ladakh As Part Of China, Reportedly Blamed Software Error

Twitter was embroiled in controversy when "Jammu & Kashmir, the People's Republic of China" was displayed in a live broadcast. It has now submitted a written apology over the matter, Read details here.

New Delhi: Popular microblogging platform Twitter has apologised in writing to a parliamentary panel for its map depicting Ladakh as a part of China, the committee's chairperson Meenakshi Lekhi revealed on Wednesday. 

Twitter's apology has come in the form of an affidavit signed by Damien Karien, Chief Privacy Officer of Twitter Inc, for wrong geo-tagging of India's map, Lekhi told PTI. It has also promised to rectify the error by November 30.

The Joint Committee of Parliament on Data Protection Bill had criticised Twitter last month, for showing Ladakh as a part of China and had asked for an explanation in the form of an affidavit.

Representatives of Twitter India had "begged apology" in front of the parliamentary committee, and were told that what had happened is a criminal offence as it questions the sovereignty of the country. Am affidavit must be submitted by Twitter Inc.

"Twitter has now given us a written apology on an affidavit for Ladakh being shown in China," Lekhi said.

"They have apologised for hurting Indian sentiments and have sworn to correct the error by November 30, 2020," she added.

Twitter was embroiled in controversy when "Jammu & Kashmir, the People's Republic of China" was displayed in a live broadcast from Leh's Hall of Fame, a war memorial for fallen soldiers in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

 In its response, Twitter is believed to blamed a software error combined with imperfect data for the incorrect geo-tag.

"In the last few weeks, we have worked towards resolving the geo-tag issue in a manner wherein Leh as well as other cities in the Union Territory of Ladakh will now accurately show with their respective city name, state and country," the company stated.

"In addition to this, we are also reviewing the geo-tag for various other cities in Jammu and Kashmir. This work is already in progress and we are targeting November 30, 2020 to complete this exercise," it added.

Twitter further emphasised India as being a priority market and expressed committment to working with the Government of India and MeitY to serve the public conversation and communities on the micro-blogging site.

"Our team in India will continue to engage with the Ministry for any follow-up discussions. We would also like to apologise for any sentiments that were hurt because of this error," it added.