Government asks Meta to ensure its recommendation systems do not expose users to limited set of narratives

The Indian government has instructed Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, to ensure its recommendation algorithms do not expose users to a narrow range of perspectives or promote potentially harmful content. According to sources from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), officials have received reports suggesting Meta's platforms do not present all viewpoints equally, with algorithms favoring certain content over others.

In a directive issued on October 10, 2026, MeitY asked Meta to review its content-ranking systems, provide context for posts related to ongoing public events, and strengthen mechanisms for quickly identifying and handling information that could cause public confusion, apprehension, violence, or disrupt public order. The advisory comes amid protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi.

Key requirements include ensuring timely cooperation with law enforcement and other authorized agencies, and providing adequate context for photos, videos, graphics, or other content depicting public events, especially when the authenticity, date, location, or circumstances of such information may not be immediately clear to users. Meta is also directed to pay particular attention to material that presents outdated images as current events, and content with unverified or misleading claims about official measures.

The Ministry emphasized that the advisory aims to promote responsible dissemination of information while respecting lawful expression and legitimate public discourse.