India asks Meta to review recommendations and content checks

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has asked Meta to review its recommendation systems and strengthen checks on potentially misleading content related to public events, according to an advisory dated October 10. The ministry said its requests were intended to limit disproportionate exposure to a narrow set of narratives and reduce the risk of public disorder or violence. The advisory asks Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, to provide context for photographs, videos, graphics and other material about ongoing public events when users may not readily be able to establish their authenticity, date, location or circumstances. It also calls for a review of recommendation and ranking systems so misleading, manipulated or out-of-context content is not disproportionately amplified or repeatedly recommended. MeitY asked the company to strengthen processes for quickly identifying, reviewing and escalating material that gains significant reach and could cause public confusion, apprehension or disturbances. It highlighted old, unrelated or selectively edited visuals presented as current events, as well as unverified or misleading claims about emergencies,...