{
  "id": 301850,
  "title": "Government examines if Meta recommendation system deciding 'what-to-show-to-whom' fits intermediary status",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/government-examines-if-meta-recommendation-system-deciding-what-to",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-08T07:53:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Economic Times Tech",
    "slug": "economic-times-tech",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/govt-examines-if-meta-recommendation-system-deciding-what-to-show-to-whom-fits-intermediary-status/articleshow/133048786.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Government officials are scrutinizing Meta's recommendation systems and paid content promotion to determine if the tech giant should be classified as an intermediary under the Information Technology Act. The key concern is whether Meta complies with IT Act provisions or functions as a publisher by deciding what content is shown to whom. If Meta's systems determine content visibility and promote content for payment, it may imply a shift from intermediary status to that of a publisher, entailing greater legal responsibilities. Intermediaries enjoy safe harbour protections under Section 79 of the IT Act, provided they meet certain conditions. The government has also sought measures to tackle deepfakes, following numerous discussions with Meta. Meta has been pressed on deepfakes, child sexual abuse material, synthetic content, and recommendation system functioning. The government aims to ensure compliance with Indian laws without censorship, seeking sustained actions and improvements from Meta.",
  "summary": "If a platform determines what content gets shown to users, it amounts to publishing, and platforms would then have to take responsibility for their actions. The issue assumes significance as intermediaries enjoy certain legal protections under the Act, subject to compliance with prescribed conditions.",
  "key_points": [
    "Government examining Meta's recommendation system for intermediary status under IT Act.",
    "Meta's content visibility decisions and paid promotion may imply publisher status.",
    "Government seeks compliance without censorship, focusing on deepfakes and synthetic content."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Is Meta an ‘intermediary’ or publisher as per IT rule? Govt questions its ‘what is shown to whom’ systems, paid content",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/is-meta-an-intermediary-or-publisher-as-per-it-rule-govt-questions",
        "published": "2026-08-08T08:02:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Economic Times Tech",
        "title": "MeitY asks Meta to revamp algorithms, curb deepfakes and illegal content on platforms: Government sources",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/meity-asks-meta-to-revamp-algorithms-curb-deepfakes-and-illegal",
        "published": "2026-08-08T11:57:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}