IT Ministry Tells Meta to Review Facebook and Instagram Algorithms Over Narrow Narratives

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked Meta to review how Facebook and Instagram rank and recommend content, saying its systems should not leave users seeing only a single or narrow set of narratives, particularly around ongoing public events. The advisory is dated 10 October 2026 and was reported on 18 and 19 October by Storyboard18 and BestMediaInfo.

According to the reports, government agencies had flagged that Meta's platforms were not giving all narratives equal reach. The ministry has asked Meta to put the measures in place with immediate effect and to tell it what action has been taken.

What the advisory asks for

The advisory sets out six requests. As reported, they cover:

• giving users a wider range of relevant and credible information in recommendations;
• reviewing ranking and recommendation systems so that misleading, manipulated or out-of-context material is not repeatedly shown or amplified;
• adding context to photos, videos and graphics about ongoing events when their authenticity, date, location or circumstances are unclear;
• identifying and acting on content prohibited under the IT Rules, 2021;
• stronger systems to spot, review and escalate high-reach posts that could cause confusion, incite violence or threaten public order; and
• prompt cooperation with law enforcement and authorised agencies within the timelines set by the IT Rules.

The content in focus

The ministry listed the kinds of material it is worried about: old or unrelated visuals passed off as current, selectively edited footage, unverified claims about emergencies, restrictions, police action or official measures, and law-and-order videos shared without context.

The advisory does not name a specific incident. Storyboard18 noted that it was issued amid opposition protests in Delhi over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Legal basis

MeitY cited the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the due-diligence duties that the IT Rules, 2021 place on intermediaries such as Meta. It said the aim is responsible sharing and recommendation of information without curbing lawful speech or legitimate public debate, and that any steps Meta takes must comply with the law.

Meta had not publicly responded to the advisory at the time of the reports. The company has previously described some Indian compliance demands as difficult to operate, including the three-hour takedown rule.