Meta under fire for hosting hate speech ads in India

Social media giant Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is facing criticism for hosting advertisements promoting hate speech, misinformation, and Islamophobia during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in India. A recent report by human rights advocacy groups revealed that these ads, sponsored by pro-Bharatiya Janata Party pages, are in potential violation of Indian laws, including the Model Code of Conduct.

The report, titled “Slander, Lies, and Incitement: India’s Million Dollar Election Meme Network,” highlighted the presence of ads carrying Islamophobic content and disinformation targeting Muslims. These ads depict Muslims as violent invaders and patrons of terror, while also promoting Hindu supremacist narratives and using aggressive rhetoric against opposition parties and leaders.

According to the findings, a network of far-right shadow advertisers spent a million US dollars on Meta over 90 days, accounting for a significant portion of political advertisements in India. The report identified 36 ads that potentially violate Indian election laws by promoting hate speech, Islamophobia, and communal violence, accumulating millions of impressions.

The report also pointed out a coordinated network led by a public page named Ulta Chashma, which engaged in early political ad postings, circumventing Meta’s ad transparency policy. Despite attempts to contact the far-right publishers, none responded to the phone numbers provided in Meta’s ad library.

Dr. Ritumbra Manuvie, Executive Director of Foundation the Landon Story, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, especially with the elections looming ahead. The report serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by online platforms in regulating harmful content and ensuring fair electoral practices.