Meta Platforms has announced the strategic appointment of Arun Srinivas as the new Managing Director and Head for Meta in India, effective July 1, 2025. This significant leadership transition comes at a pivotal time for the global tech giant, as it navigates both a rapidly expanding digital market and ongoing regulatory scrutiny in one of its most critical regions.
Arun Srinivas, who currently spearheads Meta’s robust advertising business in India, will now assume a broader mandate. His new role will encompass overseeing the company’s extensive operations, strategic initiatives, and comprehensive growth roadmap across Meta’s formidable suite of platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
This elevation occurs amidst Meta’s persistent engagement with Indian authorities over alleged anti-competitive practices. In November 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed penalties on Meta and notably barred its messaging platform WhatsApp from sharing user data with its parent company or other Meta platforms for advertising purposes for a period of five years. This ruling stemmed from concerns over WhatsApp’s 2021 Privacy Policy update, which was deemed to have imposed unfair conditions on users and created entry barriers in the digital advertising market.
Meta had publicly expressed disagreement with the CCI’s decision, cautioning about its potential substantial impact on its business in India. However, earlier this year, the company secured partial relief when an Indian tribunal temporarily stayed the five-year data-sharing ban, providing some operational flexibility while the legal proceedings continue. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) admitted Meta’s appeal against the CCI’s order and temporarily lifted the data sharing ban, though it did not stay the penalty portion, requiring Meta to deposit 50% of the fine.
Industry experts view Srinivas’s promotion as a calculated move to ensure stability and accelerate Meta’s expansion in India, even as it contends with regulatory challenges and intensifying competition within the digital advertising ecosystem, which is one of the fastest-growing globally. His extensive experience in leading high-impact advertising strategies and his profound understanding of India’s dynamic digital economy are expected to be instrumental in guiding Meta through its next phase of growth and fostering constructive regulatory engagement in the region.
The appointment underscores Meta’s unwavering commitment and continued investment in India, a market that stands as its largest by user base. Srinivas will report to Sandhya Devanathan, who recently took on an expanded role as Vice President for both India and Southeast Asia. His leadership is anticipated to play a crucial role in strengthening Meta’s strategic relationships with India’s leading brands, advertisers, developers, and partners, solidifying the company’s position at the forefront of digital transformation and innovation in the country, particularly in areas like AI adoption, Reels, and Messaging.
Now also write a 3-4 pointer summary of the article and 4-5 tags that will match with the news.
Key Highlights:
- Arun Srinivas has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Head for Meta in India, effective July 1, 2025, moving from his previous role leading Meta’s advertising business in India.
- His appointment comes as Meta navigates ongoing regulatory challenges in India, including a 2024 CCI penalty and a five-year data-sharing ban on WhatsApp (temporarily stayed by an Indian tribunal).
- Srinivas’s role will involve overseeing all operations, strategic initiatives, and growth across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, aiming to stabilize and scale Meta’s presence in India’s crucial and fast-growing digital advertising market.
- His promotion signals Meta’s continued focus and investment in India, leveraging his experience to drive growth and manage regulatory engagement.