India investigating US streaming giant Netflix excessive accusation visa violationstax evasion and racism operations there, according to a government email sent to former Netflix executive Nandini Mehta.
According to Reuters, the July 20 email was written by Deepak Yadav, an official at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi.
The email outlined concerns about Netflix’s business practices, including visa violations, illegal construction and incidents of racial discrimination. “We have received certain details…(regarding) the conduct of the said company,” Yadav wrote, adding that the FRRO was investigating the allegations.
Mehta, who served as director of business and legal affairs at Netflix India before leaving in 2020, confirmed that she is filing a lawsuit against Netflix in the United States, alleging wrongful dismissal and racial and gender discrimination, which Netflix denies. Mehta said in an emailed statement that she welcomed India’s investigation and hoped the results would be made public, but she did not elaborate on the specific allegations.
The investigation appears to be part of a broader review of Netflix’s operations in India, where the streaming service has about 10 million users. India is an important growth market for the company, which is more focused on producing local content. However, Netflix has faced criticism in China for some of its shows, which have sparked controversy for being culturally insensitive.
Netflix said it was “unaware of an ongoing investigation by the Indian government”The company also denies all of the allegations made by Mehta in the U.S. lawsuit, claiming she was fired for misusing a company credit card.
Government emails also mention that Mehta, who previously worked in the company’s Los Angeles and Mumbai offices, requested documents related to Netflix operations. The FRRO works closely with India’s intelligence services, and while it did not specify which agencies are investigating Netflix, the scrutiny is similar to past investigations of foreign companies operating in sensitive areas of India.
Mehta’s U.S. lawsuit is scheduled for a status hearing in Los Angeles on Monday. She vowed to “continue to fight for justice” while Netflix continued to challenge her claims.
According to Reuters, the July 20 email was written by Deepak Yadav, an official at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi.
The email outlined concerns about Netflix’s business practices, including visa violations, illegal construction and incidents of racial discrimination. “We have received certain details…(regarding) the conduct of the said company,” Yadav wrote, adding that the FRRO was investigating the allegations.
Mehta, who served as director of business and legal affairs at Netflix India before leaving in 2020, confirmed that she is filing a lawsuit against Netflix in the United States, alleging wrongful dismissal and racial and gender discrimination, which Netflix denies. Mehta said in an emailed statement that she welcomed India’s investigation and hoped the results would be made public, but she did not elaborate on the specific allegations.
The investigation appears to be part of a broader review of Netflix’s operations in India, where the streaming service has about 10 million users. India is an important growth market for the company, which is more focused on producing local content. However, Netflix has faced criticism in China for some of its shows, which have sparked controversy for being culturally insensitive.
Netflix said it was “unaware of an ongoing investigation by the Indian government”The company also denies all of the allegations made by Mehta in the U.S. lawsuit, claiming she was fired for misusing a company credit card.
Government emails also mention that Mehta, who previously worked in the company’s Los Angeles and Mumbai offices, requested documents related to Netflix operations. The FRRO works closely with India’s intelligence services, and while it did not specify which agencies are investigating Netflix, the scrutiny is similar to past investigations of foreign companies operating in sensitive areas of India.
Mehta’s U.S. lawsuit is scheduled for a status hearing in Los Angeles on Monday. She vowed to “continue to fight for justice” while Netflix continued to challenge her claims.
