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BJP, Congress spar over Cambridge Analytica
In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the ruling BJP and the Congress on Wednesday traded allegations on which political party had used the services of Cambridge Analytica (CA), a data analytics firm accused of illegally mining private data of Facebook users.
New Delhi: In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the ruling BJP and the Congress on Wednesday traded allegations on which political party had used the services of Cambridge Analytica (CA), a data analytics firm accused of illegally mining private data of Facebook users.
Union Law & IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has questioned links between the Congress and the data mining firm, while the Congress termed the law minister's charge "a white lie". Citing media reports about the Congress’ plan to use the firm’s service for next year’s Lok Sabha elections, Prasad called upon Rahul Gandhi to explain the company’s role in his social media outreach.
The BJP leader said the number of Gandhi’s Twitter followers had shot up recently and wondered if it was due to the services of the firm that he achieved this “fake popularity”.
“Will the Congress now depend on data manipulation and theft to woo voters?” Prasad asked. He said the firm has been accused of using “sex, sleaze and fake news” to influence elections and asked if the Congress too plans to walk the same path.
Rebutting the charges made by the BJP, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said neither his party nor Rahul Gandhi has ever hired the services of the beleaguered company. “Indian National Congress or the Congress president has never used or never hired the services of a company called Cambridge Analytica. It is a fake agenda and white lie being dished out by the Law Minister,” said Surjewala.
Describing Law Minister Prasad as ‘lawless’ law minister, the Congress leader said, “BJP’s factory of fake news has produced one more fake product today. It appears fake statements, fake press conferences & fake agendas have become everyday character of BJP.”
The Congress further made counter allegations that BJP-JD(U) had used the Cambridge Analytica’s services in 2010. “Cambridge Analytica’s linked website shows that in 2010 its services were used by BJP-JD(U). Firm’s Indian partner Ovlene Business Intelligence (OBI) is being run by BJP ally’s MP’s son. OBI company’s services were used by Rajnath Singh in 2009,” Surjewala added.
