How the algorithm is being targeted
The Hindu - Opinion · Published 12 November 2026 · Last updated
The intersection of algorithmic content curation, real-time facial recognition policing, and state digital censorship highlights critical tensions surrounding civil liberties, institutional accountability, and technological governance in India's digital public square.
Key points
- On October 10, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) wrote to Meta demanding a review of its recommendation and content ranking mechanisms.
- The ministry expressed concern that Meta's algorithms caused disproportionate exposure of users to a single or limited set of narratives.
- On July 23, journalist Ila Kazmi published a reel showing a Delhi Police van at Jantar Mantar utilizing facial recognition technology to match protesters' faces in real time.
- The published reel was rendered unavailable in India by the following day, and her Instagram account was subsequently withheld on September 9.
- Instagram justified the account withholding by stating it was complying with a legal request.
- On October 9, the Delhi High Court in the matter of Ila Kazmi vs Union of India directed the Central government, Delhi Police, and Meta to produce the official orders behind the content blocks.
- Reports from The Indian Express revealed that at least 25 individuals identified by the police as being present at the protest were actually incarcerated at that exact time.
Background
- The deployment of facial recognition technology at public protest sites like Jantar Mantar has intensified debates over the legality and transparency of surveillance tools used by law enforcement agencies.
- Judicial intervention through petitions such as Ila Kazmi vs Union of India before the Delhi High Court represents an emerging legal avenue challenging opaque administrative censorship and digital take-down orders.
Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: The Hindu - Opinion