India is looking into the business practices of US streaming giant Netflix’s local operations, including claims of visa irregularities and racial discrimination according to a government email sent to a former official.
The specifics of India’s probe were included in a July 20 email sent by a home ministry official to Nandini Mehta, Netflix’s former head of business and legal affairs for India who departed the firm in 2020.
“This is regarding visa and tax violations concerns about Netflix’s business practices in India,” wrote Indian official Deepak Yadav from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of the home ministry in New Delhi.
“We have received certain details in this regard concerning the stated company’s conduct, visa violation, illegal structures, tax evasion, and other malpractices including incidents of racial discrimination that the company has been engaged in while conducting its business in India,” he added.
In an emailed statement, Mehta stated that she is pursuing a case against Netflix in the United States for alleged wrongful termination and racial and gender discrimination, which the corporation rejects. Mehta welcomed the Indian probe and expressed hope that the authorities would make their results public, but she did not elaborate on the government’s charges.
Yadav declined to comment, claiming he could not speak to the media. The FRRO and the Indian Home Ministry did not reply to press inquiries. A Netflix spokeswoman stated that the firm was “unaware of an investigation by the Indian government”.
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