India investigates Netflix for visa violations and racial discrimination

India is investigating Netflix's local operations over allegations of visa violations, tax evasion, and racial discrimination. This inquiry was revealed in a July 20 email sent to Nandini Mehta, the former director of business and legal affairs for Netflix in India. The email, authored by Deepak Yadav from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), highlights concerns regarding Netflix’s business practices, including illegal structures and discriminatory incidents, although specific details were not disclosed.

Mehta welcomed the investigation, expressing hope that the findings would be made public. She is currently involved in a lawsuit against Netflix in the U.S., claiming wrongful termination and discrimination—allegations that Netflix has denied. The company states that she was fired for misusing corporate funds.

A Netflix spokesperson claimed that the company was unaware of any ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, the FRRO and the Indian home ministry did not respond to media inquiries, reflecting a lack of transparency about the inquiry.

This investigation comes at a time of increased scrutiny of Netflix in India, where it has about 10 million users. Despite its popularity, the platform has faced backlash for content deemed culturally insensitive. Recently, Netflix added disclaimers to a series about a plane hijacking following public outrage over its portrayal of Muslim hijackers as Hindus.