Centre Asks Meta to Review Facebook, Instagram Algorithms Over ‘Limited Narratives’

The Centre has asked Meta to review its Facebook and Instagram recommendation systems to prevent users from being disproportionately exposed to a single or limited set of narratives and to curb the spread of misleading content linked to public events.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in an advisory dated October 10, directed the social media company to provide greater context for photographs, videos and graphics depicting ongoing events, particularly when their authenticity, date, location or circumstances are unclear.

The advisory also calls for stronger monitoring of content that could trigger public confusion, incite violence or disturb public order. Meta has been asked to implement the necessary measures with immediate effect and inform the ministry of the action taken.

Government Flags Algorithmic Amplification

The ministry has expressed concern that Meta's recommendation and ranking systems could amplify misleading, manipulated or out-of-context material by repeatedly pushing it to users.

IT Ministry sources said agencies had reported that Meta's platforms were not promoting different narratives equally, with their algorithms appearing to favour certain kinds of content over others.

The advisory asks Meta to identify and review content gaining significant reach through its recommendation systems, especially material that may contribute to public disorder or promote unlawful activity.

It also flags old or unrelated visuals presented as current events, selectively edited footage, and unverified claims about emergencies, restrictions, police action or official measures.

Advisory Comes Amid Delhi Protests

The directive 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 of electoral rolls.

However, the advisory does not identify any specific incident as the reason for the directive.

MeitY has also asked Meta to cooperate promptly with law enforcement agencies and other authorised government bodies, providing information or assistance in accordance with applicable law and the Information Technology Rules, 2021.

The ministry said the measures should support responsible dissemination of information while respecting lawful expression and legitimate public discourse.

Digital Rights Concerns Over Government Oversight

The advisory has raised concerns among digital rights advocates about the scope of government oversight over online content.

Apar Gupta, founder-director of the Internet Freedom Foundation, described the advisory as a continuing censorship directive and argued that the ministry should withdraw it. He also called for Meta to publicly disclose content takedowns and instances of reduced content visibility carried out in response to the directive.

The advisory invokes the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021, which set out due-diligence obligations for online intermediaries.

The extent to which Meta changes its recommendation systems, how the government assesses compliance and how the measures affect the visibility of lawful content remain to be seen.