They urged Meta to temporarily suspend the auto-translation feature for Kannada content until the translation accuracy is reliably improved.
Published Jul 17, 2025 | 1:37 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 17, 2025 | 1:37 PM
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took to his X account to raise concerns regarding faulty auto-translation of Kannada content on Meta platforms.
Attaching a screenshot of the e-mail his advisor KV Prabhakar wrote to Meta, Siddaramaiah wrote on X:”Faulty auto-translation of Kannada content on Meta platforms is distorting facts & misleading users. This is especially dangerous when it comes to official communications. My Media Advisor Shri K V Prabhakar has formally written to Meta urging immediate correction.”
“Social media platforms must act responsibly. I caution citizens to be aware that translations shown are often inaccurate. Such negligence by tech giants can harm public understanding & trust,” he added.
The e-mail reads: “I am writing to you on behalf of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah, to formally raise a serious concern regarding the automatic translation of Kannada content on your platforms, particularly Facebook and Instagram. We have noted with concern that the auto-translation from Kannada to English is frequently inaccurate and, in some cases, grossly misleading.”
“This poses a significant risk, especially when public communications, official statements, or important messages from the Chief Minister and the Government are incorrectly translated. It can lead to misinterpretation among users, many of whom may not realise that what they are reading is an automated and faulty translation rather than the original message. Given the sensitivity of public communication, especially from a constitutional functionary like the Chief Minister, such misrepresentations due to flawed translation mechanisms are unacceptable.”
They urged Meta to:
1. Temporarily suspend the auto-translation feature for Kannada content until the translation accuracy is reliably improved.
2. Collaborate with qualified Kannada language experts and linguistic professionals to enhance the quality and contextual accuracy of translations between Kannada and English.
“We request that this issue be treated with due seriousness and addressed on priority. Kindly confirm the steps being taken to resolve this concern.”
Faulty auto-translation of Kannada content on @Meta platforms is distorting facts & misleading users. This is especially dangerous when it comes to official communications.
My Media Advisor Shri K V Prabhakar has formally written to Meta urging immediate correction.
Social… pic.twitter.com/tJBp38wcHr
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 17, 2025
