3 weeks ago
Government, Meta outline measures to curb deepfakes and CSAM
The government of India and a big technology company called Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, had important meetings this week.
They talked about special videos made by computers that can trick people, called deepfakes.
They also talked about harmful pictures and videos that hurt children, and about computer-made content that is not labelled as fake.
Meta told the government about its plans to fix these problems, and said it is working hard on them.
The government asked Meta to have more people check content and to better understand different Indian languages and local culture.
The meetings started because Meta's computer system accidentally removed a video posted by India's leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Meta said sorry and put the video back.
The government says it does not want to stop free speech, but wants Meta to follow Indian laws.
The two sides will meet again next week.
The government and Meta held technical discussions on Friday, the third day of meetings, with Meta detailing measures to tackle deepfakes, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), bot accounts and unlabelled AI-generated content.
A key concern was the reappearance, continued circulation and virality of AI-generated harmful content even after it had been flagged, and unlabelled synthetic videos remaining visible despite IT rules.
The government asked Meta to increase human oversight in content moderation, including better understanding of Indian languages, cultural contexts and local nuances.
The talks follow Meta's apology for the temporary restriction of PM Narendra Modi's Facebook post, blamed on an error by AI-powered automated content filters; sources differed on whether the apology came from Joel Kaplan or Mark Zuckerberg.
Government sources said the objective was not censorship but ensuring compliance with Indian laws, warning that failing intermediary obligations could jeopardise Meta's Safe Harbour immunity under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act.
- Who
- Indian government officials including IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and IT Secretary S Krishnan, and Meta's team led by global affairs head Joel Kaplan.
- What
- Three days of government-Meta meetings over deepfakes, CSAM, bot accounts, unlabelled synthetic content and compliance with Indian IT rules.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- When
- Friday, August 7, the third day of the meetings; another meeting is expected in the coming week.
- Why
- The government summoned Meta after its AI-powered automated filters temporarily restricted PM Narendra Modi's Facebook post, pressing the company on harmful content and its legal obligations in India.
Government and regulators
Meta
Responsibility for harmful content
Government and regulators
Government officials say Meta has 'serious issues' with deepfakes, CSAM and unlabelled synthetic content and must take specific corrective steps, increase human oversight and report back on effectiveness through regular follow-ups.
Meta
Meta acknowledged the concerns, said it has solutions that could be deployed across its systems and assured officials it would take continuous, sustained action to resolve them.
Accountability for the Modi post removal
Government and regulators
The government and a Parliamentary Standing Committee pressed for an apology from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, warning that non-compliance could jeopardise Meta's Safe Harbour immunity under the IT Act.
Meta
Joel Kaplan said he apologised to the minister on behalf of Meta for the error restricting PM Modi's post and noted the post was restored; government sources, however, said the apology came from Zuckerberg.
Key facts
- Parties
- Government of India (IT Ministry) and Meta
- Meta representatives
- Global affairs head Joel Kaplan; CEO Mark Zuckerberg also referenced
- Key issues
- Deepfakes, CSAM, bot accounts, unlabelled AI-generated content, algorithmic bias
- Trigger
- Temporary restriction of PM Narendra Modi's Facebook post, attributed to an AI filter error and later restored
- Meta's position
- Admitted 'serious issues' and assured continuous action; said it has solutions it can deploy
- Legal reference
- Section 79 of the Information Technology Act (Safe Harbour immunity)
- Earlier notice
- Government notice to Meta last month over CSAM in paid Instagram advertisements
- Next step
- Another meeting expected in the coming week
Quotes
Meta's global team
Meta’s representative explaining the company’s efforts
“"serious issues"”
NDTV
“"working hard"”
NDTV
Sources
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