New Delhi:
The opposition INDIA bloc has written to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google CEO Sundar Pichai over the alleged role of their social media platforms in “aiding communal hatred” in the country and demanded that the platforms maintain their neutrality in the coming elections.
The letters came after the Washington Post newspaper noted alleged bias by Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube against the ruling BJP and the Narendra Modi dispensation.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge shared the letter to Zuckerberg on disharmony and inciting communal hatred in the country. India”.
“INDIA parties are also writing to Mr. Sundar Pichai of Google regarding an extensive investigation by the Washington Post that Alphabet and YouTube in particular are guilty of inciting social disharmony and inciting communal hatred in India,” he said in a other post while sharing the letter to Mr Pichai.
In the letter to Mr Zuckerberg, the opposition parties said that the India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is an alliance of 28 political parties in India representing the combined opposition coalition and is the ruling alliance in 11 states and almost half of all states represent. Indian voters.
“You may be aware of the recent revelations by the Washington Post newspaper about the role of WhatsApp and Facebook in supporting the ruling BJP’s communal hate campaign. In particular, the article quotes details of how this vile, communally divisive propaganda is being carried out using WhatsApp groups by BJP members and supporters.
“In another article titled ‘Under India’s Pressure, Facebook Allowed Propaganda and Hate Speech to Thrive’, the Post has exposed with evidence the blatant bias of Facebook India executives towards the ruling dispensation. We in the opposition have known this for a long time. and have even raised it several times in the past,” the INDIA bloc parties said.
“This comprehensive investigation by the Washington Post makes it very clear that Meta is guilty of inciting social disharmony and inciting communal hatred in India. Further, we have data showing algorithmic moderation and suppression of opposition leaders’ content on your platform, while also promoting ruling party content,” they said in the letter from AICC general secretary KC Venugopal.
The opposition bloc demanded that Meta’s activities in India remain neutral.
“Such blatant partiality and bias against one political formation by a private foreign company amounts to interference in Indian democracy, which we in the INDIA alliance will not take lightly,” the letter said.
“In view of the upcoming 2024 national elections, it is our earnest and urgent plea to you to seriously consider these facts and immediately ensure that Meta’s activities in India remain neutral and are not knowingly or unknowingly used to promote social to cause unrest or upset India’s significant position. cherished democratic ideals,” the report said.
The Opposition said it was ironic that the parties had to write the letter in the birth month of Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest advocate of non-violence and social harmony in history.
The parties expressed confidence that Zuckerberg and Meta also desire a harmonious India that the Mahatma desired.
In their letter to Google’s Sundar Pichai, they wrote about YouTube’s role in propagating communal hatred and dividing Indian society, titled “He livestreamed his attacks on Indian Muslims. YouTube gave him an award” in the Washington Post.
“The article specifically cites details of how this despicable, divisive propaganda is being carried out via YouTube by BJP members and supporters.
“This extensive investigation by the Washington Post makes it very clear that Alphabet and specifically YouTube are guilty of inciting social disharmony and inciting communal hatred in India.
“Furthermore, we have data showing algorithmic moderation and suppression of opposition leaders’ content on your platform, while also promoting ruling parties’ content,” they said.
The INDIA parties also urged Google to ensure that its platforms operating in India remain neutral and not be used to cause social unrest or distort India’s cherished democratic ideals, especially during the upcoming elections.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
