India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued an advisory to Meta, urging the tech giant to ensure its recommendation systems do not disproportionately expose users to a narrow set of narratives. The advisory, dated October 10, 2026, comes amid political unrest in Delhi, where protests are calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The advisory highlights concerns that Meta's algorithms may favor certain types of content, potentially leading to public disorder. MeitY has asked Meta to provide adequate context for content related to ongoing public events, especially when the authenticity or circumstances of such content are unclear. The ministry emphasized the need for Meta to review its content-ranking systems to prevent misleading or manipulated content from gaining undue prominence.
Protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and other opposition groups have intensified, demanding Kumar's resignation over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. While the advisory does not directly link to these protests, it underscores the government's concern over the role of social media in shaping public perception during sensitive times.
MeitY's advisory also calls for Meta to cooperate with law enforcement and government agencies, ensuring compliance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021. This includes timely sharing of information or assistance as required by law. The ministry noted that certain content related to public events was being prominently displayed on Meta's platforms, potentially contributing to public confusion and unrest.
The advisory outlines six specific actions for Meta, including measures to identify and address problematic content under the IT Rules. It stresses the importance of diversity in the information presented to users and warns against the amplification of content that could incite violence or unlawful activities.
In response to the advisory, Apar Gupta, founder director of the Internet Freedom Foundation, criticized the move as a form of censorship. He argued that the advisory, while not legally binding, imposes a continuous directive on Meta and called for its withdrawal. Gupta also urged Meta to publicly disclose any content takedowns or downranking actions taken in compliance with the advisory.
The ministry's directive to Meta is intended to promote responsible information dissemination while respecting lawful expression and public discourse. Meta has been advised to implement the necessary measures immediately and report back to the ministry on the actions taken.
As the situation unfolds, the advisory reflects broader concerns about the influence of social media platforms on public order and the challenges of balancing free expression with the need to prevent misinformation and unrest.
