Centre Asks Meta to Review Content Algorithms
The government wants Facebook and Instagram to curb misleading recommendations and provide context, while digital-rights advocates warn of censorship risks.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked Meta to review its content recommendation and ranking systems on Facebook and Instagram, citing concerns that misleading or out-of-context material relating to public events could contribute to confusion and public-order disturbances.
The advisory, dated October 10, 2026, asks Meta to take measures with immediate effect and inform the ministry about the steps taken. The advisory follows an October 8 communication to social media companies on handling content that could affect public order.
MeitY has asked the company to identify and address content covered by applicable provisions of the Information Technology Rules, 2021, including material that could incite violence or other unlawful activity. It has also called for faster review of posts gaining significant reach through recommendation systems.
The advisory asks Meta to review its recommendation and ranking mechanisms so that potentially misleading, manipulated or context-free material is not disproportionately amplified or repeatedly recommended. It also calls for appropriate context to accompany photographs, videos and graphics about ongoing public events when their authenticity, date, location or circumstances may not be clear.
The ministry has further asked Meta to ensure its systems do not expose users disproportionately to a single or limited set of narratives and to endeavour to provide a diversity of relevant and credible information. The advisory also asks the company to cooperate with authorised government agencies and law-enforcement bodies in accordance with applicable law.
The advisory does not name a particular protest or public event. However, it was issued amid protests in Delhi linked to demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The timing has drawn attention to how social media platforms handle posts about protests and police action.
Digital-rights advocates have criticised the advisory, arguing that broad requirements around context, amplification and narrative diversity could lead platforms to restrict legitimate reporting or political expression. Internet Freedom Foundation founder Apar Gupta described the advisory as a continuing censorship directive, while calling for transparency about actions taken under it.
The government’s advisory refers to Meta’s due-diligence obligations under Indian information-technology law and says any action should remain consistent with applicable legislation and rules. The central issue is how platforms can address misleading or harmful content while preserving lawful expression and public-interest reporting.