Centre flags CSAM concerns with Meta, seeks mandatory AI content labels

The Centre has stated that it has noticed increased sensitivity from Meta over CSAM-related content while also stressing that AI-generated content must carry clear labels.

The two issues form part of wider discussions between government officials and Meta over content moderation, platform responsibility and users’ rights, reported ANI quoting government sources on Tuesday (August 18).

Meta steps up CSAM moderation

The report further stated that Meta is taking greater care over CSAM-related material, including efforts to filter out unlawful content. The government has told Meta that “safe harbour will not be available” to individuals or persons involved in CSAM-related violations.

Also Read: How Meta uses safe harbour, community guidelines to supersede national laws

According to the report, the government has acted only within powers provided by the existing legal and statutory framework and no action has been taken outside those limits.

Focus on India’s cultural context

It further stated that officials have told Meta that content moderation teams need greater sensitivity to India’s linguistic and cultural context. Global standards alone may not account for the country’s varied social and language settings, it added.

Also Read: Centre summons Meta policy chief Joel Kaplan again over PM Modi's video removal: Report

The WhatsApp username issue is also being considered from an industry-wide perspective, stated the report, adding that officials said that the matter is not limited to one company and applies across messaging platforms. The government will continue to monitor and track these concerns.

'Censoring content is not the aim'

Officials said that the aim is not to censor or suppress content but to prevent social media platforms from creating situations adverse to India’s social fabric.

Also Read: Meta apologises after PM Modi's Facebook video got briefly removed

They further stated that questions over platform regulation have also surfaced in Western liberal democracies and concerns extend beyond India, adding that cultural contexts differ between countries. Reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech remain constitutionally applicable in India, they said.

AI content must carry labels

AI-generated material has also become part of the discussions. Synthetically generated content (AI-generated content) must be clearly labelled, stated the report quoting government sources. The position is framed around users’ right to know whether the material they encounter is synthetic or authentic.

The government maintains that these steps remain within the existing legal and statutory framework.