India is scrutinizing Netflix for alleged visa violations, tax evasion, and instances of racial discrimination in its local operations, as revealed in a government email to former Netflix executive Nandini Mehta. The email, dated July 20 and sent by Deepak Yadav from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in New Delhi, outlines concerns regarding Netflix’s business practices, including illegal structures and discrimination incidents.
Mehta, who was the director of business and legal affairs for Netflix in India before her departure in 2020, is currently pursuing a lawsuit in the US against the streaming giant, claiming wrongful termination and instances of racial and gender discrimination—allegations that Netflix denies. In her statement, Mehta welcomed the Indian investigation and expressed hope for transparency in its findings.
This investigation seems to be part of a larger examination of Netflix’s operations in India, where the service has about 10 million users and has been focusing on local content production. Despite this, Netflix has faced backlash for some of its shows perceived as culturally insensitive.
In response to the investigation, Netflix stated that it was “unaware of any investigation by the Indian government” and denied Mehta’s allegations, asserting that her termination was due to misuse of a corporate credit card.
The government email also mentioned a request for documents related to Netflix’s operations, reflecting the FRRO’s collaboration with India’s Intelligence Bureau. Although the specific agencies involved in the investigation were not disclosed, the scrutiny mirrors past investigations of foreign companies in sensitive sectors in India.
Mehta’s lawsuit is set for a status hearing in Los Angeles, and she has committed to “continuing to fight for justice” as Netflix challenges her claims.
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