BusinessOTT Netflix India platform faces scrutiny over allegations of visa violations, racial discrimination and tax evasion
OTT platform Netflix India is under government investigation for visa violations, racial discrimination, tax evasion and several irregularities in business practices. Reuters gave this information, citing a government email.
This investigation was revealed in an email sent on July 20 by Deepak Yadav, an official of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of the Ministry of Home Affairs of India, to Nandini Mehta, former director of business and legal affairs at Netflix in India.
What is written in the government email?
The email states: “This email concerns visa and tax violation issues related to Netflix’s business practices in India. In this regard, we have received details regarding the company’s behavior, visa violations, illegal structure, tax evasion and various bad practices, including incidents of racial discrimination, in which the company has been involved in its activities in India.
Netflix response to allegations
A Netflix spokesperson told Reuters the company was not aware of any investigation by the Indian government.
Support in Mehta’s case and investigation
Nandini Mehta left Netflix in 2020. After that, she filed a lawsuit in the United States against Netflix for wrongful termination and racial and gender discrimination. However, Netflix denies these allegations.
Mehta welcomed the investigation by the Indian government and expressed hope that the results of the investigation would be made public. However, he declined to provide further details on many of the allegations.
OTT platform Netflix has around 10 million or 1 crore subscribers in India.
Growing investigation in India regarding Netflix
Several investigations are already underway in India against Netflix. Netflix has around 10 million or 1 crore subscribers in India. The company has invested heavily in producing local content involving Bollywood celebrities.
However, Netflix has also faced controversy over content considered insensitive by some viewers and government officials. In addition to the ongoing investigation, Netflix is contesting the Indian government’s tax demand from 2023.
scope of government investigation
The FRRO email did not specify which agencies were involved in the investigation. FRRO works closely with the Indian Intelligence Bureau and is primarily responsible for monitoring foreigners’ visa compliance and granting access to restricted areas. However, the FRRO also cooperates with other government agencies on matters related to foreigners.
Nandini Mehta’s role in the investigation
Nandini Mehta worked in Netflix’s offices in Los Angeles and Mumbai from 2018 to 2020. In the email from the Indian government, she was asked to provide documents and details related to the investigation due to her former role of legal manager in the company.