NEW DELHI, October 19: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to ensure that its recommendation systems do not disproportionately expose users to a single or limited set of narratives.
In an advisory dated October 10, the ministry directed Meta to strengthen its monitoring of content that could spread misinformation, create public confusion, disturb public order or incite violence and other unlawful activities.
The advisory also calls on the company to provide adequate context for photographs, videos, graphics and other content related to ongoing public events, particularly when their authenticity, date, location or circumstances are unclear.
Although the government has not identified a specific incident that prompted the advisory, it comes amid protests in Delhi led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and opposition parties demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Government Flags Algorithmic Bias in Content Recommendations
According to the advisory, Meta has been asked to review its content-ranking and recommendation mechanisms to prevent potentially misleading, manipulated or out-of-context material from being disproportionately amplified or repeatedly recommended to users.
The ministry has also called for greater diversity in the information presented to users, encouraging the platform to provide a broader range of relevant and credible content.
Government sources said the ministry had received reports suggesting that Meta’s platforms were not promoting different narratives equally, with their algorithms appearing to favour certain types of content over others.
MeitY further highlighted concerns over old or unrelated visuals being presented as current events, selectively edited footage and unverified claims concerning emergencies, restrictions, police action and official measures.
The advisory also covers audio-visual material relating to law-and-order situations that is circulated without sufficient context.
Six Measures Sought from Meta
The ministry has outlined six specific requests, including strengthening mechanisms to identify, review and address problematic content under the Information Technology Rules, 2021.
Meta has also been asked to improve the rapid identification and escalation of content that gains significant reach through recommendation systems and could potentially trigger widespread confusion, violence or disturbances.
The government has called for timely cooperation with law enforcement agencies and other authorised authorities, including the provision of information and assistance in accordance with applicable laws and prescribed timelines.
Citing the Information Technology Act, 2000, the advisory states that Meta must comply with its due-diligence obligations under the IT Rules, 2021.
The ministry has asked the company to implement the necessary measures with immediate effect and inform it about the action taken.
Digital Rights Group Raises Concerns
The advisory has drawn criticism from digital rights advocates.
Apar Gupta, Founder-Director of the Internet Freedom Foundation, said that although the advisory was not legally binding, it amounted to a continuing censorship directive.
He called on MeitY to withdraw the advisory and urged Meta to publicly disclose any content removals or reductions in content visibility carried out in response to it.
Gupta also questioned the legal basis of certain terms used in the advisory, including references to content lacking adequate context and periods of heightened public-order sensitivity.
The ministry, meanwhile, has stated that the advisory is intended to promote responsible dissemination and recommendation of information while respecting lawful expression and legitimate public discourse.
It has emphasised that any action taken by Meta must remain consistent with the Information Technology Act, 2000, the IT Rules, 2021, and other applicable laws.
