Govt asks Meta for compliance roadmap as scrutiny over algorithms, deepfakes intensifies

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked Meta to submit a detailed compliance roadmap outlining how it plans to strengthen content moderation, curb the spread of propaganda and tackle unlawful content across its platforms, according to media reports.

The government has also sought changes to Meta’s recommendation algorithms to limit the spread of propaganda, deepfakes and other manipulated content, reports said. Officials have further asked the company to speed up the removal of content flagged by authorised government agencies, strengthen coordination with government teams handling harmful online content, and ensure compliance with India’s data localisation requirements.

The latest directives come as the Centre steps up its scrutiny of global technology platforms amid growing concerns over AI-generated content, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), misinformation and intermediary accountability.

The government is also understood to have sought a detailed timeline from Meta on the measures it intends to implement, with officials expected to review the company’s progress in subsequent discussions, according to reports.

Second day of talks focuses on algorithms and compliance

The fresh directions followed the second consecutive day of meetings between senior Meta executives and government officials on Thursday, where discussions centred on the company’s algorithms, compliance with Indian laws and safeguards against harmful content, according to media reports.

During the discussions, government officials questioned whether Meta’s recommendation systems and content moderation mechanisms adequately complied with India’s legal and constitutional framework. Officials also sought details on the guardrails the company has put in place to tackle deepfakes, CSAM, bot accounts and other forms of synthetic or manipulated content.

Media reports said Meta acknowledged that these were “serious issues” and assured the government that it was continuing to strengthen its systems to address them. The company is also said to have briefed officials on the mechanisms and parameters it uses to moderate content and improve the fairness of its algorithms.

Technical aspects of Meta’s systems reportedly formed a key part of Thursday’s discussions. The government is expected to continue its engagement with the company over the next few days, with technical teams from both sides likely to hold further consultations to examine compliance and platform safeguards in greater detail.

Officials also reiterated that digital platforms operating in India are required to comply with Indian laws and constitutional requirements, and cannot rely on standards applicable in other jurisdictions, reports said.

The government is not considering a separate regulator for social media platforms at present, according to reports. Instead, it plans to address concerns through the existing legal and constitutional framework while continuing to engage with intermediaries on compliance.

The discussions are part of a broader government effort to address the increasing use of AI-generated content and deepfakes, which officials believe pose growing risks to public trust and online safety.

Triggered by PM Modi post, broader concerns

The latest meetings follow Wednesday’s discussions between Meta’s global affairs team, led by Joel Kaplan, and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, after the temporary restriction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Facebook post last month drew government scrutiny.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Meta apologised for the erroneous restriction of the Prime Minister’s post and said it had resulted from an error in its AI-powered automated content filters, according to earlier media reports.

The heightened scrutiny also comes weeks after MeitY issued a notice to Meta over alleged child sexual abuse material appearing in paid advertisements on Instagram. Since then, government officials have repeatedly stressed the need for stronger safeguards, faster action against unlawful content and greater accountability from large digital platforms operating in India.