Meta under fire as govt flags misleading content on Facebook and Instagram: Here is what happened
Follow UsMeitY has raised concerns over misleading content on Facebook and Instagram.
The government has asked Meta to review its content recommendation algorithms.
Meta must follow Indian IT rules and address harmful content promptly.
Meta is once again under scrutiny as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked the social media giant to review how content is recommended on Facebook and Instagram. The government reportedly shared the concerns about the spread of misleading content, edited images and videos, and posts that could lead to violence or disturb public order. It has also asked Meta to ensure that its algorithms do not give too much attention to one viewpoint while ignoring others. The advisory is said to outline six requirements for Meta, focusing on the content distribution in the country. Follow along with the article to learn more about the latest advisory to Meta.
SurveyCentre flags concerns over Meta’s content recommendations
According to a report from PTI, the advisory from MeitY asked the social media giant Meta to ensure that the content recommendation on its platform offers a wider range of relevant and credible information rather than excessive visibility to a single viewpoint or a limited set of narratives.
Not only that, but the ministry has also directed the company to strengthen its systems for quickly identifying, reviewing and escalating content that could cause public confusion, fear, violence or disruption of public order.
MeitY shared concerns over old or selectively edited visuals which are being presented as current events on the social media platform. Aside from that, misleading claims about emergencies or police action and videos showing law-and-order situations without enough context have also been pointed out by the government body.
The report also claims that the advisory further warned Meta against misleading or manipulated material, receiving excessive promotion or being repeatedly recommended to users.
Meta should comply with Indian rules
In the advisory shared with Meta the government has reportedly asked the social media giant to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and other authorised government bodies in the country by providing information or assistance within the timelines prescribed under the Information Technology Rules, 2021.
While citing the Information Technology Act, 2000, the ministry also highlighted Meta’s responsibility to exercise due diligence under the existing legal framework. The advisory reportedly outlined six requirements for Meta, including steps to identify and address prohibited content and review its recommendation and ranking systems to prevent misleading material from gaining disproportionate reach.
