Amit Malviya Demands Transparency in Tech Algorithms, Alleges Data Manipulation
The BJP's information technology cell chief, Amit Malviya, has urged global tech platforms to disclose how their algorithms work, alleging that they are being used to manipulate online conversations and tilt the scales in favour of certain interests. Speaking to NDTV, he said tech companies have repeatedly crossed their boundaries by interfering in the domestic affairs of sovereign nations.
Mr Malviya flagged an NDTV data analysis that showed stark differences in social media traction: protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar received a massive algorithmic boost, while student demonstrations in Jharkhand did not find similar engagement. He said this was evidence of data manipulation. "Your report highlighted how the protests at Jantar Mantar were hyped up and the one happening in Jharkhand which is actually led by genuine students did not find the same traction," he told NDTV.
Referring to a recent meeting between Meta's top executives and Indian authorities, Mr Malviya said the company had acknowledged lapses, including the fact that "a large part of the campaign was sponsored and was sponsored perhaps by people who are not sitting here in India." He claimed that advertisements on Meta-owned platforms like Facebook and Instagram are frequently sponsored from neighbouring countries and targeted at Indian audiences. "We do not know who those people are. We don't know what their intentions are," he added.
The BJP leader also dismissed the tech industry's standard defence that content visibility is purely an algorithmic outcome. "What is an algorithm? Somebody is writing those algorithms. And clearly those are human beings. If you write a certain code which is not transparent and users cannot see it, then clearly you can hide behind algorithms and say that these are non-partisan strings, but that is never the case," he argued.
He cited the example of Twitter, now renamed X, saying that internal documents made public after Elon Musk's acquisition revealed how the previous management had manipulated users. He alleged that the platform under Jack Dorsey was involved in "shadow banning", prioritising specific content and letting "ideological biases" play out. "We see that happen with Meta also. They can continue to deny, but the proof of the pudding is in what we are seeing out there," he said.
Mr Malviya further claimed that some platforms allow content to be promoted by individuals whose identities are not verified, and that such content could be against India's interests. "It could be serving the deep state's interest, it could be serving interests of people inimical to India's interest," he said.
He also raised concerns about artificial intelligence, stating that the government had ordered all tech platforms to identify AI-generated material, but many had not complied. Accusing the firms of contradictions, he said: "On the one hand they claim to be technology companies and are failing in addressing technology issues. On the other hand they claim that they are intermediaries but they constantly editorialise."
Mr Malviya suggested that countries may eventually have to build their own digital platforms to protect their democratic processes. "These tech companies that already have dominant positions have to be made more accountable and perhaps countries need to build indigenous platforms so that we know that we are in control of our democracy, our discourse," he told NDTV.
These remarks come at a time when governments around the world are scrutinising the role of social media platforms in shaping public opinion. Tech companies, including Meta and X, have previously denied accusations of political bias and have maintained that their algorithms operate without editorial interference. They have also said they comply with local laws and community standards.
