Netflix in Big Problem in India, Home Ministry Investigating for Alleged Visa Violations, Racial Discrimination

The business practices of American streaming company Netflix are being investigated in the country. The scope of this investigation includes allegations of visa violations and discrimination. In this regard, the Home Ministry official had sent an email on July 20 to the former director of the business and legal division of Netflix in the country.

Reuters has seen this email. netflix This email was sent to Nandini Mehta, former director of the Home Ministry, by Deepak Yadav, an officer of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of the Home Ministry. However, Mehta left the company four years ago. In this email sent to Mehta, Yadav wrote, “This is about visa and tax violations related to Netflix’s business practices in the country. We have received details about this. It also includes caste discrimination in unfair business practices in the country. Cases are also included.”

Regarding this, Mehta said in an emailed statement that he has filed a legal case against Netflix in the US for alleged wrongful dismissal as well as racial and gender discrimination. Mehta said she welcomes the investigation into the country and hopes authorities will make their findings public. However, he has not given much information about the allegations made by the government. Yadav refused to comment on this. He said that he is not authorized to talk to the media. The Home Ministry and FRRO did not respond to queries sent by Reuters in this regard.

A Netflix spokesperson said that the company is not aware of the investigation being conducted by the central government. Netflix has about one crore users in the country. Over the years it has increased local content with Bollywood actors. However, Netflix often faces criticism regarding its content. Recently, it had to add new disclaimers after social media protests and government displeasure over a series based on a plane hijacking. Last year, a notice of tax demand was also sent to Netflix.

(This news has not been edited by the NDTV team. It is published directly from the syndicated feed.)