Meta has restricted several posts on Instagram related to content censorship in India, including those by the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) and media outlet Scroll.in, according to medianama.com. On September 19, SFLC posted that its Instagram story quoting Scroll’s report on Meta blocking Alt News posts was made unavailable in India, citing compliance with IT Rules. This marks a continuation of automated content restrictions by Meta on posts critical of its moderation policies.
The sequence began when Meta took down Alt News’s post about the Chauhaan film teaser, which referenced the late Islamist militant Burhan Wani. SFLC then published a social media post criticizing these restrictions, which Meta also blocked. Scroll.in reported on SFLC’s criticism, but this report was not blocked. When SFLC posted an Instagram story quoting Scroll’s report, Meta’s automated systems restricted that content in India as well, according to SFLC’s statement shared on medianama.com.
This series of content blocks highlights ongoing challenges around online censorship and content moderation by major platforms in India. Meta’s actions reflect enforcement of the country’s IT Rules, which have been controversial for their impact on freedom of expression. The case illustrates how automated systems can escalate restrictions on posts that discuss or criticize platform moderation itself, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in content governance.
SFLC publicly confirmed that Meta’s automated systems restricted its Instagram story in India on September 19. The episode adds to broader scrutiny of Meta’s content policies and regulatory compliance in India, as documented by medianama.com and Scroll.in.