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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Delhi

Revealed: Meta approved political ads in India that incited violence

Narendra Modi holds a microphone as he speaks to Mark Zuckerberg while seated on stage
India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, with the Facebook chief, Mark Zuckerberg. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Facebook and Instagram owner Meta approved a series of AI-manipulated political adverts during India’s election that spread disinformation and incited religious violence, according to a report shared exclusively with the Guardian.

Facebook approved adverts containing known slurs towards Muslims in India, such as “let’s burn this vermin” and “Hindu blood is spilling, these invaders must be burned”, as well as Hindu supremacist language and disinformation about political leaders.

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