The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has instructed Meta to overhaul its algorithms and submit a compliance roadmap to address deepfakes, propaganda, and manipulated content. This directive was issued during a meeting between MeitY officials and Meta's technical team on Friday, aiming to strengthen content moderation and accelerate takedown processes, according to livemint.com.
During the meeting, MeitY emphasized the need for faster removal of harmful content and closer coordination with the government to curb the spread of illegal and misleading material on Meta’s platforms. The ministry requested Meta to provide a detailed plan outlining how it will revamp its algorithms to better detect and manage deepfake videos and other forms of manipulated content, as reported by economictimes.indiatimes.com.
This move comes amid growing concerns over the proliferation of deepfakes and misinformation on social media platforms in India. The government’s demand for stronger moderation aligns with global efforts to hold tech companies accountable for content integrity. Meta, which operates Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in India, faces increasing scrutiny over its role in managing harmful content, making this a significant regulatory development in the digital content space.
MeitY’s instructions to Meta mark a critical step in India’s approach to regulating online content, reflecting the government’s focus on digital safety ahead of upcoming elections. The ministry’s call for a compliance roadmap and algorithm revamp sets a clear timeline for Meta to enhance its content moderation framework, with follow-up meetings expected to monitor progress, according to livemint.com.