Politics · India · 2 hrs ago
India asks Meta to review how Facebook and Instagram recommend content
India’s IT ministry has asked Meta to review its recommendation systems on Facebook and Instagram.
The advisory, dated October 10, says those systems should not expose users disproportionately to a narrow set of narratives.
The ministry wants misleading or out-of-context posts to be less widely recommended and public-event images and videos to have adequate context.
It also told Meta to improve the rapid identification and review of posts that could cause confusion, violence or public disorder.
The advisory does not name a specific event, though it came amid protests in Delhi over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the revision of electoral rolls.
Meta is asked to act immediately and tell the ministry what steps it has taken, according to the advisory described in the coverage.
The ministry says any action must follow Indian law and respect lawful expression and public discussion.
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has asked Meta to review how Facebook and Instagram recommend and rank content.
The advisory says recommendation systems should not expose users disproportionately to a single or limited set of narratives.
It asks Meta to act quickly on misleading or out-of-context content that could contribute to public confusion, violence or disorder.
The ministry also called for context on content about ongoing public events and cooperation with law enforcement.
The advisory, dated October 10, does not cite a specific incident, but comes amid protests in Delhi over electoral-roll revisions.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.
- What
- The ministry asked Meta to review content recommendation and ranking systems and strengthen checks on potentially harmful content.
- When
- The advisory was dated October 10, 2026.
- Where
- India; the advisory concerns Meta’s platforms. The articles also report protests in Delhi.
- Why
- The ministry said recommendation systems could amplify misleading content or a limited set of narratives, contributing to confusion or public disorder.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The ministry issued a separate advisory to social media companies about prioritising government complaints concerning content that could affect public order.
The ministry dated its advisory to Meta, asking it to review recommendations and take measures concerning potentially misleading or harmful content.
Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party were detained during protests in Delhi, according to Hindustan Times.
- Advisory date
- October 10, 2026
- Platforms
- Facebook and Instagram
- Owner
- Meta
- Relevant law
- Information Technology Act, 2000, and IT Rules, 2021
- Protest issue
- Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
3 sources
Government asks Meta to ensure its recommendation systems do not expose users to limited set of narratives
Centre issues advisory to Meta, asks it to overhaul content promotion system on Facebook, Instagram
Centre asks Meta to review content recommendation system over law and order posts to avoid ‘public confusion, disorder’
What people are saying
ensure that recommendation systems do not result in disproportionate exposure of users to a single or limited set of narratives, and endeavour to provide appropriate diversity of relevant and credible information
It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) that certain content relating to ongoing public events and developments is being prominently displayed and recommended to users through the feeds/recommendation systems of platforms operated by Meta.
Meta is advised to ensure that any action taken pursuant to this advisory is consistent with the Information Technology Act, 2000, the IT Rules, 2021, and other applicable laws