Centre Issues Advisory to Meta Over Facebook and Instagram Content Recommendations

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has reportedly issued an advisory to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, urging it to review its content recommendation systems. According to reports, the government wants the platforms to ensure that users are not repeatedly exposed to narrow or misleading narratives because of how content is ranked and recommended. The guidance also emphasises providing appropriate context when displaying images, videos, graphics and other material related to public events. Information such as when and where a visual was recorded and the circumstances surrounding it can help users distinguish current events from older footage being shared without context.

The advisory also reportedly calls for stronger checks on content that could spread misinformation, provoke violence or affect public order, along with timely cooperation with law enforcement agencies and relevant government departments. It refers to the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology Rules, 2021. However, the recommendations have raised concerns about the scope of government oversight of online platforms. Internet Freedom Foundation founding director Apar Gupta reportedly criticised the advisory, describing it as a continuing censorship directive and questioning the use of broad terms without clearly linking them to specific legal provisions. The issue has renewed debate over how to balance the prevention of harmful online content with freedom of expression. Meta’s response and the implementation of the advisory will be important in determining its practical impact.