BJP asks Congress if it used data manipulation in polls
NEW DELHI: BJP has cited media reports to allege that Congress has used the services of Cambridge Analytica, a company that reportedly engaged in data manipulation in various countries to influence voters for its client, to win elections and sought clarifications from the Grand Old Party on the issue.
“We support freedom of press and free exchange of views on social media. But if there is covert or overt use of social media, including Facebook, to influence elections process will not be tolerated,” Law Minister and senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters.
He cited press reports, including in The Economic Times, that said Congress will use the services of Cambridge Analytica in the elections. The company is in the eye of a storm in the US as well as Brazil and Kenya for allegedly influencing elections for some political parties.
Prasad emphasised that Congress has not yet made its stand clear on the reports appearing in the media and posed certain questions to the main opposition.
“We would like to ask the Congress if it will now depend on data manipulation and theft to win elections? Secondly, Cambridge Analytica has allegedly also used sex, sleaze and fake news. Is Congress also going to use these methods to influence voters in India?” Prasad said.
BJP also demanded that Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi should explain what role was played by Cambridge Analytica in managing his social media account. Prasad said some months ago Gandhi’s Twitter account had seen a spurt in the number of followers and it was suspected that bots based in Kazakhstan and Russia were involved.
“Has Congress done some data trade with Cambridge Analytica? Were the services of this company used by Congress in the Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and North East elections? And will it use the services of this company in Karnataka polls?” Prasad said.
The Law Minister further underlined that these issues are not only about liason between Congress and CA but also a matter of fairness in elections and democratic propriety.
He said the Chief Data Analyser of Congress is facing charges in the US and this whole issue is a matter of national interest and national security.
Prasad warned that if it is found during investigations that collusive methods were used government will take serious note of the same.
He also had a word of caution for Facebook and Mark Zukerberg. Noting that the maximum number of Facebook followers were based in India- the figure stands at 20 Cr, Prasad said if any case of data theft by the company is found it will not be tolerated and the government will not hesitate in summoning Zuckerberg to India, if need be.
“We support freedom of press and free exchange of views on social media. But if there is covert or overt use of social media, including Facebook, to influence elections process will not be tolerated,” Law Minister and senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters.
He cited press reports, including in The Economic Times, that said Congress will use the services of Cambridge Analytica in the elections. The company is in the eye of a storm in the US as well as Brazil and Kenya for allegedly influencing elections for some political parties.
Prasad emphasised that Congress has not yet made its stand clear on the reports appearing in the media and posed certain questions to the main opposition.
“We would like to ask the Congress if it will now depend on data manipulation and theft to win elections? Secondly, Cambridge Analytica has allegedly also used sex, sleaze and fake news. Is Congress also going to use these methods to influence voters in India?” Prasad said.
BJP also demanded that Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi should explain what role was played by Cambridge Analytica in managing his social media account. Prasad said some months ago Gandhi’s Twitter account had seen a spurt in the number of followers and it was suspected that bots based in Kazakhstan and Russia were involved.
“Has Congress done some data trade with Cambridge Analytica? Were the services of this company used by Congress in the Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and North East elections? And will it use the services of this company in Karnataka polls?” Prasad said.
The Law Minister further underlined that these issues are not only about liason between Congress and CA but also a matter of fairness in elections and democratic propriety.
He said the Chief Data Analyser of Congress is facing charges in the US and this whole issue is a matter of national interest and national security.
Prasad warned that if it is found during investigations that collusive methods were used government will take serious note of the same.
He also had a word of caution for Facebook and Mark Zukerberg. Noting that the maximum number of Facebook followers were based in India- the figure stands at 20 Cr, Prasad said if any case of data theft by the company is found it will not be tolerated and the government will not hesitate in summoning Zuckerberg to India, if need be.