NEW DELHI: The Centre has advised Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, to review its recommendation and content ranking systems to prevent misleading information from being disproportionately amplified and to reduce the risk of public disorder, violence and other unlawful activities.
In an advisory dated October 10, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) asked the company to ensure that its algorithms do not expose users excessively to a single or limited set of narratives. It also urged the platform to promote a reasonable diversity of relevant and credible information.
The advisory comes amid protests in Delhi by the Cockroach Janta Party and opposition parties demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. However, the government has not linked the advisory to any specific incident.
The ministry expressed concern over photographs, videos, statements and graphics relating to ongoing public events being prominently displayed and recommended to users without sufficient context. It warned that such material could create confusion, apprehension and disturbances to public order when presented misleadingly or amplified disproportionately.
Meta has been asked to provide adequate context for content depicting current events, particularly when its authenticity, date, location or circumstances are unclear. The government has also highlighted old or selectively edited visuals presented as current events, unverified claims about emergency measures and police action, and audio visual material that could incite violence.
The advisory calls for stronger systems to identify, review and escalate potentially harmful content that gains significant reach through recommendation algorithms. It also directs Meta to cooperate promptly with law enforcement agencies and authorised government bodies in accordance with applicable laws and prescribed timelines.
MeitY cited the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology Rules, 2021, emphasising the platform’s responsibility to exercise due diligence. The company has been advised to implement the necessary measures immediately and inform the ministry about the action taken.
The ministry clarified that the objective is to encourage responsible dissemination of information while respecting lawful expression and legitimate public debate.
However, the advisory has raised concerns among digital rights advocates, who argue that vague references to inadequate context and public order could enable excessive content restrictions. Critics have called for its withdrawal and greater transparency regarding any removal or reduced promotion of content carried out in response to the directive.
