Will Launch Tools to Make Political Ads Transparent: Facebook Tells HC
PIL seeks ban on paid political content on social media 48 hours before election day Facebook told the Bombay High Court on Monday that “it is voluntarily launching a number of tools to expand the transparency of current political advertising policies ahead of Indian General Elections, which will be in place from February 21, 2019.” A Division Bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N.M. Jamdar was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Sagar Suryawanshi from Pune through advocate Sagar Kursija. Protecting poll integrity The PIL has sought directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to prohibit posting of paid political or election-related content on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google 48 hours before election day. The PIL has sought making Section 126 (prohibition of public meeting during period of forty-eight hours ending with hour fixed for conclusion of poll) of the Representation of Peoples Act applicable to the platfo...