Meta Social Media Platforms Told To Act On Edited Visuals Misleading Claims Amid Protests SIR — What Govt Adviser Says | Today’s news
The government has asked Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, to review its content recommendation systems to prevent users from being disproportionately exposed to a single or limited set of stories and to strengthen scrutiny of material that could cause public unrest or incite violence, PTI reported.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in an Oct. 10 notice asked Meta to provide adequate context for photos, videos, graphics and other content depicting ongoing public events, especially if their authenticity, date, place or circumstances may not be readily apparent to users, the news agency said.
According to the news outlet, the ministry also asked Meta to review its content recommendation and rating mechanisms to prevent the disproportionate spread or repeated recommendations of potentially misleading, manipulated or out-of-context material to users.
MeitY indicates a possible algorithm bias
The advisory calls on Meta to ensure that its recommendation systems do not disproportionately expose users to a single or limited set of stories, and to strive to provide a diversity of relevant and credible information.
The department also sought stronger mechanisms to quickly identify, review and escalate content that gains significant reach through referral systems and is likely to cause public confusion, fear, violence or disruption of public order.
Sources in the IT ministry said that according to PTI, the ministry had received reports from agencies suggesting that Meta platforms were not promoting all stories equally, with their algorithms apparently favoring one kind of content over others.
The ministry reportedly said it noticed that certain content related to ongoing public events was being prominently displayed and recommended to users on platforms operated by Meta. Such material included videos, images, statements and still graphics relating to public order and law and order situations.
According to the recommendations, content displayed without adequate context or disproportionately amplified could contribute to public confusion, fear and disruption of public order and social peace.
Old videos, misleading claims under control
MeitY asked Meta to pay special attention to content that presents old, unrelated, or selectively edited visuals as current events. It also flagged unverified or misleading claims about emergencies, restrictions, police actions and other official measures.
The advisory further identifies audiovisual material relating to public order situations that lacks adequate context, content that could incite violence or other illegal activity, and potentially misleading material that is disproportionately disseminated.
The ministry said Meta, as an intermediary, must exercise due diligence under the Information Technology Rules 2021.
These rules require intermediaries to notify users of prohibited information, including content that could cause a breach of public order or incite a cognizable offense related to public order.
The guidance outlined six specific requirements for Meta, including measures to identify and address content under IT rules and a review of recommendation and rating systems to prevent the disproportionate spread of misleading, manipulated or out-of-context material.
Meta asked for cooperation
The ministry also advised Meta to cooperate with law enforcement and other authorized government authorities in a timely manner.
Meta advised to take the necessary measures with immediate effect and inform the Ministry about the measures taken.
The ministry also said that any action taken in response to this recommendation must be in compliance with the Information Technology Act, IT Rules and other applicable laws.
Digital rights group raises concerns about censorship
Apar Gupta, founder and director of the Internet Freedom Foundation, a digital rights advocacy group, criticized the recommendation, arguing that while it is not legally binding, it is a continuing directive on censorship.
According to PTI, Gupta called on MeitY to withdraw the recommendation and urged Meta to make public every removal and downgrade of content made in response to it.
He argued that the advisory’s references to content being displayed “without adequate context” and periods of “heightened public order sensitivity” are not bound by any provision of the Information Technology Act or the IT Rules.
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