Ankhi Das, a top Facebook executive in India, is leaving the company on Tuesday months after she was alleged to interfere in the company’s content moderation policy in the country to show favoritism to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Facebook has denied the allegations, and people close to Das (pictured above) said her departure was not related to recent stories in the press. Das served as the Public Policy Director for Facebook India, South and Central Asia.
“I have decided to step down from Facebook after long service to its mission of connecting people and building communities to pursue my personal interest in public service. When I joined Facebook in 2011, internet growth in the country was woefully low and I often wondered how social and economic asymmetries will be addressed. We were a small unlisted startup back then guided only by our mission and purpose to connect people in India. After nine long years, I feel that mission has largely been met. There is an enormous amount I have learnt from incredibly smart and talented people in the company, particularly from people on the policy team. This is a special company and a special group of people. Thank you, Mark for creating something beautiful for the world. I hope I have served you and the company well. I know we will be in touch on Facebook,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
In a statement, Ajit Mohan, the head of Facebook India, said Das was leaving Facebook to pursue her “interest in public service.” He added, “Ankhi was one of our earliest employees in India and played an instrumental role in the growth of the company and its services over the last 9 years. She has been a part of my leadership team over the last 2 years, a role in which she has made enormous contributions. We are grateful for her service and wish her the very best for the future.”
This is a developing story. More to follow…
