New Delhi, October 19, 2026: The Centre has asked Meta to review the recommendation and content-ranking systems used by Facebook and Instagram, raising concerns that certain content related to public-order situations could be disproportionately amplified and contribute to confusion, violence or social unrest.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has advised the social media company to ensure that users are not disproportionately exposed to a single or limited set of narratives and that relevant and credible information is presented with appropriate diversity.
MeitY Flags Recommendation Algorithms
The advisory asks Meta to examine how its recommendation systems determine which posts, videos, images and other content receive greater visibility on Facebook and Instagram.
According to the government, potentially misleading, manipulated or out-of-context content should not be disproportionately amplified or repeatedly recommended to users.
The ministry has also expressed concerns that recommendation systems could give greater prominence to specific narratives during sensitive law-and-order situations.
Centre Seeks Greater Diversity of Information
One of the key directions asks Meta to ensure its platforms do not disproportionately expose users to only one or a limited number of narratives.
The government has advised the company to make efforts to provide an appropriate diversity of relevant and credible information through its recommendation systems.
According to reports, government agencies had raised concerns that Meta’s platforms appeared to promote certain types of content more heavily than others.
Advisory Focuses on Public-Order Content
The Centre has specifically flagged content linked to ongoing public events and law-and-order situations.
This includes photographs, videos, statements and graphics that may be presented without adequate context or whose authenticity, date, location or circumstances are unclear.
MeitY said such material could contribute to public confusion, apprehension or disturbance of public order if it is disproportionately amplified.
Old and Misleading Visuals Under Scrutiny
The ministry has asked Meta to pay particular attention to old, unrelated or selectively edited visuals that are being presented as footage of current events.
It has also flagged unverified or misleading claims concerning emergency measures, restrictions, police action or other official developments.
The advisory seeks stronger mechanisms to identify and review such content before it gains significant reach through recommendation systems.
Meta Asked to Strengthen Rapid Review Mechanisms
The government has advised Meta to strengthen systems for rapidly identifying, reviewing and escalating posts that are gaining significant visibility and may contribute to widespread confusion or violence.
The focus is particularly on content amplified through Facebook and Instagram recommendation systems during periods of heightened public-order sensitivity.
Meta has been asked to take necessary measures with immediate effect and inform the ministry about the steps it has taken.
Government Cites IT Rules, 2021
The advisory refers to Meta’s obligations as an intermediary under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology Rules, 2021.
Under the rules, social media intermediaries are required to exercise due diligence regarding prohibited content, including material that could incite unlawful activity or disturb public order.
The Centre has said that actions taken in response to the advisory must remain consistent with applicable Indian laws.
Meta Asked to Cooperate With Law Enforcement
MeitY has also told Meta to ensure timely cooperation with law-enforcement agencies and other authorised government bodies.
The company may be required to provide information or other assistance within the timelines prescribed under the IT Rules when legally requested by authorities.
Advisory Comes Amid Delhi Protests
The advisory was issued amid heightened political activity and protests in Delhi involving the Cockroach Janta Party and opposition groups.
However, the document itself does not identify any particular protest, political event or incident as the direct reason for issuing the instructions.
Reports said the advisory was dated October 10 and followed an earlier government communication to social media platforms concerning public-order-related content.
Digital Rights Groups Raise Free-Speech Concerns
The government’s move has also drawn criticism from digital-rights advocates.
Apar Gupta of the Internet Freedom Foundation argued that the advisory could create pressure for proactive restrictions on content even when no formal takedown order has been issued.
Critics have also questioned how terms such as credible information, adequate context and diversity of narratives would be interpreted in practice.
Meta Yet to Publicly Detail Its Response
Meta had not immediately provided a detailed public response to the latest advisory at the time of reports.
The company is now expected to review its recommendation and ranking mechanisms and communicate the steps taken to the government.
The development is likely to intensify the broader debate in India over algorithmic transparency, platform responsibility, public order and online freedom of expression.
Source: PTI, NDTV, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express
Supreme News Network
