New Delhi, August 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Centre has asked Meta to take corrective measures against deepfakes and other harmful artificial intelligence-generated content appearing on its platforms, sources said on Saturday, as the government also examines the role played by recommendation algorithms in determining what users see.
The discussions are also focusing on whether platforms that actively influence the visibility and distribution of content can continue to claim intermediary status under India’s Information Technology Act.
According to sources, the government is examining whether Meta’s recommendation systems, particularly their role in deciding “what is shown to whom”, are compatible with the legal definition of an intermediary. Questions are also being raised over systems that promote content for payment and whether such functions amount to the platform effectively exercising editorial control.
The issue assumes significance because intermediaries are entitled to certain legal protections from liability for third-party content, subject to compliance with prescribed conditions and due-diligence obligations.
The government has held several rounds of discussions with Meta in recent days and has sought action against deepfakes and other potentially harmful AI-generated material.
Under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, read with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, intermediaries are required to follow due-diligence requirements to avail themselves of protection from liability for third-party information uploaded, published, hosted, shared or transmitted through their platforms.
Sources said that failure to meet these requirements could result in the loss of the statutory exemption under Section 79, potentially exposing platforms to action under applicable laws, including provisions of the IT Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The Centre is also expected to engage with other digital platforms to examine whether their operations and content-distribution mechanisms meet the definition of an intermediary under Indian law.
The government’s scrutiny comes amid growing concerns over the spread of AI-generated misinformation, manipulated media and deepfakes, which can potentially cause harm to individuals and influence public discourse.
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