Democracy Undermined: How Meta Enabled BJP's Shadow Advertising
In an era where digital platforms have become the new battlegrounds for political influence, transparency and adherence to ethical standards are more critical than ever. Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR), in collaboration with the Tech Justice Law Project, Dalit Solidarity Forum, India Civil Watch Intl and the Indian American Muslim Council are proud to announce the release of our joint report: Jharkhand’s Shadow Politics: How Meta Permits, Profits From, and Promotes Shadow Political Advertisements.
This comprehensive study sheds light on the concerning practices of Meta (formerly Facebook) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the elections in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand. The investigation reveals how Meta's platforms have been leveraged to circumvent electoral laws, allowing shadow advertisements that target political opponents with divisive and toxic content.
Key Findings of the Report
Shadow Advertising Practices: The BJP has been found using undisclosed pages and accounts to run political ads without proper authorization, violating both Meta's policies and India's electoral laws.
Meta's Complicity: Despite clear violations, Meta has permitted these activities, profiting from the advertising revenue while failing to enforce its own guidelines.
Impact on Democratic Processes: These shadow ads have contributed to a manipulated public discourse, undermining the integrity of the electoral process in Jharkhand.
Media Coverage and Political Reactions
The report has garnered significant attention from major media outlets:
The Times of India highlighted the issue in their article, "Meta Accused of Allowing BJP to Breach Electoral Laws in Jharkhand", emphasizing the serious implications of Meta's actions on the state's political landscape.
Scroll.in delved into the specifics in "Facebook, Instagram Failed to Curb Shadow Ads in Jharkhand Targeting CM Soren and Others: New Report", discussing how these platforms have been used to target key political figures with unauthorized content.
The report has also elicited strong responses from political leaders (for messages in Hindi Twitter has a translation function) :
Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, who was directly targeted by these ads, expressed his concerns on social media. In his tweet, he called for greater accountability from social media giants and urged for the protection of democratic values.
In a subsequent tweet, he stressed the need for stricter regulations to prevent the misuse of digital platforms for political manipulation.
Grassroots Mobilization
The revelations have sparked action at the grassroots level:
Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, a prominent social movement organization in the state, has taken to social media to raise awareness. Their message, communicated in Hindi, aims to inform and mobilize local communities against these unethical practices.
Our Commitment to Digital Justice
As co-authors of this report, Hindus for Human Rights remains steadfast in our commitment to uphold democratic principles and human rights. The digital domain should be a space for open dialogue and fair representation, not a tool for clandestine political agendas.
We call upon Meta to take immediate action to rectify these issues by enforcing their advertising policies transparently and ensuring compliance with electoral laws. Additionally, we urge the Election Commission of India to investigate these violations thoroughly.
Join the Conversation
We believe that collective awareness and action are vital in challenging these injustices. We invite you to read the full report here and join us in advocating for a fair and transparent digital space.
Together, we can safeguard the integrity of our democratic processes and ensure that technology serves as a bridge for unity, not division.
For more updates and to support our initiatives, follow Hindus for Human Rights on our social media channels.