Netflix Faces Challenges in India Over Visa Violations, Tax Evasion, and Discrimination Allegations
Government Probes Streaming Giant for Alleged Visa and Tax Violations, Along with Discrimination Claims
The American streaming giant, Netflix, is facing increasing scrutiny in India. According to a Reuters report citing a government email, the Indian government is investigating Netflix India for alleged visa violations, tax evasion, and instances of racial discrimination. The email was reportedly sent to former Netflix executive Nandini Mehta.
As per the Reuters report, the email was dated July 20 and was written by Deepak Yadav, an official from the Home Ministry’s Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The email states, “This is regarding concerns about Netflix’s business practices in India related to visa and tax violations. We have received details regarding the company’s conduct, visa violations, illegal structuring, tax evasion, and other irregularities, including incidents of racial discrimination.”
A spokesperson for Netflix told Reuters that the company is not aware of any investigation being conducted by the Indian government. Deepak Yadav declined to comment, and neither the Foreigners Regional Registration Office nor India’s Home Ministry responded to Reuters’ queries.
Nandini Mehta left the company in 2020. In 2021, she filed a lawsuit against Netflix in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging wrongful termination and racial and gender discrimination. Netflix has denied these allegations in court.
It is worth noting that Netflix has around 10 million users in India, a key market for the streaming service’s global expansion strategy.
