'Clarify algorithmic bias, role in public order': Govt to Meta over PM post

NEW DELHI: The Centre has summoned Meta's global team to explain the temporary restriction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post, with government officials set to question the social media giant on alleged algorithmic bias, the functioning of its content moderation systems and its role in maintaining public order, PTI reported citing sources.According to the sources, Meta's global team is expected to arrive in India sometime in the middle of next week. Besides appearing before government officials, the executives will also depose before a parliamentary panel.The move comes days after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) summoned a senior Meta executive following the temporary restriction of Prime Minister Modi's Facebook post addressing India's youth and promising stringent action against paper leaks.Government to seek answers on algorithmic biasSources told PTI that the government's interaction with Meta's global team would focus on whether the platform's algorithms exhibit bias, how those algorithms function and the company's broader responsibility in matters affecting public order.The officials are expected to "categorically" seek clarification on issues surrounding algorithmic bias and the manner in which Meta's content moderation systems operate, the sources said.Meta apologised, government found explanation inadequateMeta had earlier attributed the restriction of the Prime Minister's post to a technical glitch and issued an apology. However, according to PTI, MeitY considered the company's explanation "inadequate".Following the incident, Meta informed the ministry that content posted by Prime Minister Modi and certain other prominent accounts would be subjected to additional oversight on its platforms.The company also wrote to the government outlining enhanced safeguards, including multiple levels of review involving senior company officials before action is taken on posts published by the Prime Minister and other high-profile accounts.Parliamentary panel to examine issueApart from appearing before government officials, Meta's global representatives are also expected to testify before a parliamentary panel as scrutiny over the company's content moderation practices intensifies.Government sources told PTI that when platform rules or Indian laws are violated, liabilities would arise.The sources also pointed to studies highlighting the wider impact of social media on society, including concerns over cognitive health and mental well-being among both children and adults due to excessive digital media consumption."Keeping all these aspects in mind, steps that are needed will be taken," a government source told PTI, adding that the government was treating the matter seriously.Hyderabad Police also register casesThe government's scrutiny comes amid parallel legal action in Telangana.Earlier this week, Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police registered cases against Meta India head Arun Srinivas and operators of several Facebook and Instagram accounts over allegedly morphed and AI-generated content targeting Prime Minister Modi during protests over the NEET paper leak issue.According to police, the cases were filed following complaints by BJP supporters alleging that manipulated videos and images of the Prime Minister were circulated on social media. Investigators have issued notices to Meta and are tracing the operators behind the accounts named in the complaints.The latest developments mark an escalation in the government's scrutiny of Meta, with the company now facing regulatory, parliamentary and law enforcement action over its content moderation practices and handling of politically sensitive content.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.