New Delhi, October 18, 2026: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked Meta to reassess how Facebook and Instagram recommend content related to sensitive law-and-order situations, warning that misleading, manipulated or out-of-context posts could create public confusion and potentially disturb public order.
The advisory has also raised concerns among digital-rights advocates, who warn that broadly worded requirements could lead to excessive content suppression and affect legitimate political speech, journalism and public debate.
Advisory Specifically Sent to Meta
According to reports, MeitY issued a specific advisory to Meta on October 10, asking the company to take immediate steps to review how its platforms rank and recommend content during periods of heightened public-order sensitivity.
The communication followed a broader advisory issued on October 8 to social-media intermediaries. Unlike the earlier communication, the October 10 advisory specifically addressed Meta and asked the company to report the measures it takes.
Government Flags Algorithmic Amplification
The Centre’s concern extends beyond individual posts uploaded by users. The advisory focuses on whether recommendation algorithms could repeatedly promote potentially misleading or decontextualised material, increasing its reach and influence.
MeitY has warned that the disproportionate amplification of such content during sensitive public events could contribute to confusion, apprehension or disturbances.
Meta Asked to Avoid ‘Single-Narrative’ Feeds
The ministry has asked Meta to ensure that its recommendation systems do not disproportionately expose users to a single narrative or a limited range of perspectives surrounding major public events.
The advisory calls for an appropriate diversity of relevant and credible information. However, it does not publicly specify how this diversity should be measured or establish a detailed mechanism for determining which sources qualify as credible.
Misleading Videos and Images Under Scrutiny
MeitY has highlighted several categories of content requiring closer scrutiny, including:
- Old or unrelated photographs and videos presented as current events.
- Selectively edited videos and images that may distort the original context.
- Misleading or unverified claims about police action and official restrictions.
- Footage of law-and-order situations circulated without adequate context.
- Material that could incite violence or unlawful activity.
The government has also asked Meta to provide clearer contextual information around photographs, videos and graphics when their date, location, authenticity or circumstances are not immediately apparent.
Faster Review of Viral Content Sought
Meta has been asked to strengthen mechanisms for identifying and escalating posts that are rapidly gaining reach through recommendation systems.
The advisory calls for prompt attention to content that could potentially trigger widespread confusion, apprehension, violence or public disorder.
The precise implementation of these measures will be significant, particularly where content is restricted in visibility rather than formally removed.
Advisory Issued Amid Delhi Protests
The communication came amid demonstrations in Delhi concerning demands related to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Although the Meta-specific advisory does not name a particular demonstration, earlier government communications had raised concerns about false, manipulated and out-of-context material circulating online in connection with public protests.
Security agencies have also been monitoring social-media accounts accused of spreading fabricated or misleading claims linked to recent demonstrations, including reports of false claims about deaths and injuries.
Meta Asked to Cooperate With Authorities
The advisory reminds Meta of its obligations under India’s Information Technology Act and the Information Technology Rules, 2021.
The company has been asked to cooperate with authorised government agencies and law-enforcement authorities and provide legally required assistance within the applicable timelines.
Digital-Rights Advocates Warn of Censorship Risks
Digital-rights advocates have questioned whether broad terms such as adequate context and public-order sensitivity could encourage platforms to suppress legitimate reporting, criticism or protest-related speech.
They argue that restrictions should have a clear legal basis and be accompanied by transparent safeguards, particularly when decisions affect political expression or public-interest journalism.
Internet Freedom Foundation Raises Objections
Apar Gupta of the Internet Freedom Foundation criticised the advisory, arguing that it could encourage Meta to impose proactive restrictions even without formal government takedown orders.
He has also called for greater transparency about content that is removed or downranked following government requests.
The concerns centre on whether platforms could interpret the advisory too broadly, reducing the visibility of lawful content while attempting to comply with government expectations.
Meta’s Algorithms Already Under Scrutiny
The latest advisory follows months of government scrutiny of Meta’s recommendation and moderation systems.
In August, officials reportedly questioned whether actively recommending content could affect the company’s legal position as an intermediary entitled to safe-harbour protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act.
Earlier discussions between the government and Meta also focused on deepfakes, harmful AI-generated material and automated moderation. Officials had sought stronger human oversight, improved handling of Indian languages and greater compliance with domestic law.
Meta Yet to Detail Its Response
Meta had not publicly detailed its response to the latest advisory at the time of reporting. MeitY has asked the company to inform the ministry about the steps taken, placing the implementation of the recommendations under scrutiny.
Algorithm Regulation and Free Speech in Focus
The controversy highlights a wider policy challenge: social-media platforms do not simply host content; their recommendation algorithms influence which posts receive greater visibility and reach.
The government has cited the need to prevent misleading material from contributing to public disorder, while digital-rights advocates have raised concerns about transparency, accountability and the potential suppression of legitimate speech.
How Meta responds could have implications for the regulation of recommendation systems in India and the balance between public-order concerns and freedom of expression online.
Source: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Hindustan Times, India Today, Business Standard
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