Government directs Meta to add human review in content moderation

The government has raised concerns about Meta's reliance on automated systems for moderating content on its platforms, warning that algorithm-driven enforcement risks removing legitimate user posts without adequate human judgment. The directive emphasizes the need for meaningful human review to complement AI-led moderation tools currently deployed across Facebook and Instagram.

Keyword-based automated takedowns have emerged as a particular point of contention, with authorities noting that such systems lack the nuance required to evaluate content in its proper context. Posts flagged by keywords alone may be removed even when they pose no violation of platform policies, potentially affecting users' freedom of expression.

The intervention reflects broader regulatory scrutiny of social media platforms' content moderation practices in India. As digital platforms continue to expand their user bases across the region, authorities are increasingly focused on ensuring that automated systems do not inadvertently suppress legitimate speech or disproportionately impact users.

Meta has not yet issued a formal response to the government's directive. The company previously stated its commitment to building robust content moderation systems that balance enforcement with user rights protection.