News in short

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued an advisory to Meta.
• The government wants Facebook and Instagram to review recommendation systems that could amplify misleading content.
• The advisory raises concerns about manipulated visuals, old videos presented as current events and limited information exposure.
• The timing coincides with protests in Delhi over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demands for the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation.
• MeitY has asked Meta to report the steps it takes, while stating that legitimate public discussion should not be unnecessarily restricted.

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked Meta to review how Facebook and Instagram recommend content. The government wants the company to strengthen safeguards against misleading posts, manipulated visuals and content that could contribute to public disorder.

Advisory issued by the ministry calls for closer scrutiny of recommendation algorithms and faster action against potentially harmful material.

The advisory comes amid protests in Delhi over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. However, the advisory does not explicitly identify these protests as the reason for the directive.

Why is the government questioning Meta’s algorithms?

Social media recommendation systems influence which posts users see, including content they do not actively search for. The government is concerned that these systems could give misleading claims, manipulated images or videos disproportionate visibility.

For example, footage from an earlier incident could circulate as if it showed a current protest. Unverified claims about restrictions, emergency measures or police action could also spread without sufficient context.

MeitY wants Meta to review how its systems identify and recommend such material, particularly during politically sensitive situations. The advisory also calls for appropriate context alongside photographs, videos and graphics when their origins or circumstances may be unclear.

Another concern is the range of information users encounter. The ministry wants recommendation systems to avoid repeatedly exposing people to a narrow set of narratives and help them access relevant, credible information.

Do Delhi protests explain the timing?

The advisory’s timing has drawn attention because it comes amid political protests in the capital.

Opposition parties and protesters have been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Such developments can generate large volumes of online commentary, videos and claims that require verification.

However, the available report does not establish that the protests prompted MeitY’s advisory. It would therefore be inaccurate to describe the directive as a confirmed response to a specific protest or anti-government campaign.

The stated focus is broader: how Meta’s recommendation systems handle potentially misleading content and material that could affect public order.

What has MeitY asked Meta to do?

The advisory calls on Meta to strengthen its review of content that gains significant attention through recommendation systems. It also asks the company to respond more quickly to material that could create widespread confusion or encourage violence.

The ministry has asked Meta to cooperate with authorised government agencies and law enforcement in accordance with applicable laws. It has also directed the company to review its policies and internal processes and report the measures it implements.

The advisory refers to obligations under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

At the same time, the government has said that measures against unlawful or misleading material should not unnecessarily restrict legitimate public discussion. This creates an important distinction between addressing harmful content and limiting lawful criticism or political debate.

What this means for Facebook and Instagram users

The advisory places greater scrutiny on how Facebook and Instagram surface content, rather than focusing only on individual posts after users report them.

If Meta changes its recommendation systems or review processes, users could see changes in how certain videos, images and claims are assessed and distributed. However, the advisory does not specify exactly how the platforms must alter their algorithms.

The next step is for Meta to communicate the measures it takes in response to the ministry’s directions. The report does not detail Meta’s response or confirm any specific algorithm changes.

The broader question is how platforms can reduce the reach of misleading content during sensitive events without suppressing legitimate public debate. That balance will remain central as governments examine the role of recommendation algorithms in shaping online information.