Govt asks Meta to curb deepfakes and harmful AI-generated content; examines how algorithms disseminate
New Delhi, Aug 8
The government has asked Meta to take corrective action against deepfakes and other harmful AI-generated content on its platforms, according to sources.
They also indicated that the issue is whether a platform that actively decides what users see can maintain intermediary status under the Information Technology Act.
The Centre is also looking into whether Meta still qualifies as an intermediary under Indian law given the role its recommendation systems play in determining what content users see.
If the tech giant's recommendation systems determine 'what is shown to whom' and 'promote content for payment,' these functions raise the question of whether they are consistent with the legal definition of an intermediary, according to the sources.
Moreover, if platform chooses what content is displayed to users that is equivalent to publishing, and platforms would then be held accountable.
The matter becomes important since the Act grants intermediaries certain legal protections, provided they meet certain requirements.
In addition, after several rounds of talks over the past few days, the government has also requested that Meta take action against deepfakes.
Therefore, in order to obtain an exemption from liability with regard to third-party information uploaded, published, hosted, shared or transmitted on or through their platform, intermediaries -- including social media platforms -- are legally required by section 79 of the IT Act, read in conjunction with IT Rules, 2021 to exercise due diligence.
Additionally, losing the exemption from liability under section 79 of the IT Act such intermediaries may be subject to consequential action under any law, including the IT Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Apart form that, the government will also consult with other platforms to determine whether they meet the definition of an intermediary under Indian law.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The real issue here is the "intermediary status" loophole. If Meta is actively curating and promoting content, they're no longer just a platform—they're a publisher. They want the benefits of being an intermediary but the power of a publisher. The government is right to examine this. Yaar, accountability is long overdue.
Good step, but I hope they also look at X (Twitter) and YouTube equally. Deepfakes are a menace, especially during election season. One fake video can change public opinion overnight. The government should implement strict timelines for removal of such content, not just warnings. Better late than never, I guess.
It's a global issue, not just Indian. In the US, we're dealing with the same problems with election deepfakes. But I must say, India is taking a more direct regulatory approach compared to the US. Let's see if this pressure on Meta actually results in tangible changes to their fact-checking and AI detection systems.
I appreciate the intent, but my concern is about overreach. The IT Act's intermediary protections exist for a reason—to allow free speech and innovation. If we start holding platforms completely liable for every piece of content, they might just over-censor and ban everything suspicious, hurting legitimate voices. The regulations need to be precise and fair. Accha balance hona chahiye.
I wonder if the government will also address the source code of these algorithms. Meta's AI is trained on data that includes biases, and when it comes to a diverse country like India, mistakes are bound to happen. Transparency in how content gets recommended is
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.