A notice is sent by the government to Facebook demanding details by April 7 about the possible data breach and manipulation of Indian electoral process by the social media giant or its associates.
The notice is issued to Facebook days after the IT Ministry demanded its associate and London-based vendor Cambridge Analytica a host of questions over similar allegations, that included misusing the data of Indian users to influence and “manipulate” elections.
“It is felt that there is a need for further information about the data breach from Facebook. Accordingly, a letter has been issued by the IT Ministry to Facebook,” the government said, spelling out areas where details have been sought.
The Ministry has asked the Mark Zuckerberg-founded American tech giant whether the personal data of Indian voters and users had been compromised by Cambridge Analytica or any other “downstream entity” in any manner, and if so, how was it compromised?
Another question asked is “whether Facebook or its related or downstream agencies utilising Facebook’s data have previously been engaged by any entities to manipulate the Indian electoral process?”
The government has also asked Facebook about the measures it undertakes to protect the data of users. “What are the specific steps proposed to be taken by Facebook to prevent any misuse of personal data for potential interference in, or manipulation of the Indian electoral process?”
Also, the Ministry asked whether Facebook has taken any “proactive measures” to ensure the safety, security and privacy of such large user data and to prevent its misuse by any third party.
The notice to Facebook and its associates comes as the political slugfest between the BJP and the Congress over misuse and manipulation of user data has been intensifying.
While accusing the Congress party of engaging with data companies to influence voters, the BJP-led NDA government has said that the “fairness of Indian democracy and electoral process is a matter of pride and any attempt to influence the sanctity of the electoral franchise through dubious and questionable means is unacceptable.”