BENGALURU: In a faux pas, Meta’s auto-translation tool “digitally” killed off Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah while translating a condolence message posted by CMO on social media Tuesday. Understandably furious at being referred to as “late” CM, Siddaramaiah told Meta to suspend its Kannada auto-translation feature until it learns not to distort facts.
The condolence message was posted in Kannada on Facebook and Instagram, mourning the death of veteran actress B Sarojadevi. Meta’s English auto-translation, however, read: “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah passed away yesterday multilingual star, senior actress B. Took darshan of Sarojadevi’s earthly body and paid his last respects.”
Reacting sharply to the goof-up, Siddaramaiah posted on X: “Faulty auto-translation of Kannada content on Meta platforms is distorting facts and misleading users. This is dangerous when it comes to official communication. My media adviser 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 and trust.”
The CMO said it sent a mail to Meta, seeking urgent intervention. The CMO also urged Meta to hit pause button on Kannada auto-translation until it improved the feature further. It also asked the tech company to collaborate with Kannada language experts and professionals “to enhance contextual accuracy” of translations from Kannada to English”.
“We have noted with concern that the auto-translation from Kannada to English is frequently inaccurate and, in some cases, grossly misleading,” wrote K V Prabhakar, the CM’s media adviser. Prabhakar cautioned that such bloopers could cause confusion, especially when they involve public communication, official statements or important messages from the CM or govt. “Many may not realise that what they are reading is an automated translation rather than the original message,” he said.
The condolence message was posted in Kannada on Facebook and Instagram, mourning the death of veteran actress B Sarojadevi. Meta’s English auto-translation, however, read: “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah passed away yesterday multilingual star, senior actress B. Took darshan of Sarojadevi’s earthly body and paid his last respects.”
Reacting sharply to the goof-up, Siddaramaiah posted on X: “Faulty auto-translation of Kannada content on Meta platforms is distorting facts and misleading users. This is dangerous when it comes to official communication. My media adviser 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 and trust.”
The CMO said it sent a mail to Meta, seeking urgent intervention. The CMO also urged Meta to hit pause button on Kannada auto-translation until it improved the feature further. It also asked the tech company to collaborate with Kannada language experts and professionals “to enhance contextual accuracy” of translations from Kannada to English”.
“We have noted with concern that the auto-translation from Kannada to English is frequently inaccurate and, in some cases, grossly misleading,” wrote K V Prabhakar, the CM’s media adviser. Prabhakar cautioned that such bloopers could cause confusion, especially when they involve public communication, official statements or important messages from the CM or govt. “Many may not realise that what they are reading is an automated translation rather than the original message,” he said.
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