Govt asks Meta to ensure its recommendation systems do not expose users to a limited set of narratives
The advisory by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), dated October 10, asked Meta to undertake appropriate measures to provide adequate context in relation to photographs, videos, graphics, or other content depicting ongoing public events, particularly where the authenticity, date, location or circumstances of such content may not be readily apparent to users.
The Indian government has instructed Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, to ensure its recommendation systems do not overexpose users to a narrow range of viewpoints and to enhance monitoring of content that could lead to public unrest or incite violence. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the advisory on October 10, urging Meta to provide necessary context for photographs, videos, graphics, or other content depicting ongoing public events, especially when their authenticity, dates, locations, or circumstances are unclear to users.
While no specific event prompted the advisory, it follows protests in Delhi calling for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over special intensive roll revisions. Meta has been asked to review its recommendation and content-ranking mechanisms to prevent potentially misleading, manipulated, or out-of-context material from being disproportionately amplified or repeatedly shown to users.
The advisory also calls for stronger mechanisms to swiftly identify, review, and escalate content that might cause confusion, apprehension, violence, or public order disturbances. Meta has been advised to cooperate with law enforcement and other authorized government agencies, providing information or assistance as required by law and within specified timelines.
The ministry cites the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021, requiring intermediaries to inform users about prohibited information, including content that could lead to public disorder or incite a cognisable offence. Meta is directed to pay special attention to content presenting old, unrelated visuals as current events, and content with unverified or misleading claims about emergency measures, restrictions, or police actions.
The advisory outlines six specific requests for Meta, including measures to identify and address content under the IT Rules and a review of its recommendation and ranking systems to ensure that misleading or out-of-context content is not disproportionately amplified or repeatedly recommended. While the advisory is not legally binding, it is seen by some as a continuing censorship directive, with advocates calling for Meta to publicly disclose all actions taken in response to the advisory.
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