Report: YouTube lets through voter suppression ads before polls

YouTube has come under scrutiny for approving dozens of ads promoting voter suppression and incitement to violence ahead of India's upcoming election, according to a new investigation by rights groups Global Witness and Access Now, shared exclusively with TIME.

India is gearing up for its election, scheduled in seven phases between April 19 and June 1. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a third term, the stakes are high, making this election a pivotal moment. However, concerns about the spread of misinformation and hate speech have surfaced, raising questions about the role of platforms like YouTube in tackling such issues.

The investigation conducted by Global Witness and Access Now revealed alarming results. Despite YouTube's rules prohibiting election-related content containing disinformation, the platform approved 100% of the 48 submitted ads within a 24-hour review period. These ads, written in Hindi, Telugu, and English, contained false information aimed at suppressing votes and inciting violence, potentially influencing millions of voters.

Namrata Maheshwari, senior policy counsel at Access Now, expressed dismay at the findings, highlighting YouTube's failure to prevent the spread of disinformation. She emphasized the need for YouTube to prioritize the global majority's well-being and address the underlying issues contributing to this alarming trend.

Responding to the allegations, a Google spokesperson defended the company's policies, stating that ads are subject to multiple layers of review and enforcement. However, the spokesperson acknowledged that the ads in question were withdrawn before undergoing routine enforcement reviews.

With over 450 million users in India, YouTube holds significant influence, offering targeted advertising tools to businesses and political parties. The platform's lucrative ad revenue underscores its importance in reaching voters, making it imperative for YouTube to ensure the integrity of its content.

The report's authors highlighted disparities in YouTube's enforcement practices across different regions, pointing to a growing digital divide between the global north and south. They called for urgent action from YouTube to address these concerns and enhance efforts to combat election disinformation.

As India's election draws nearer, calls for YouTube to bolster its counter-disinformation measures have intensified. The report urges YouTube to undertake a thorough evaluation of its ad approval process and allocate sufficient resources to tackle content in local languages.

In the final weeks before the Indian election, the spotlight is on YouTube to take decisive action to safeguard the democratic process and prevent the spread of harmful misinformation.