‘Worried About Data Breach’: CEC OP Rawat Ahead of Poll Panel Meet

EC has tied up with Facebook at least three times in the last one year to encourage the youth to enroll for voting.

The EC has reportedly tied up with Facebook at least three times in the last one year to encourage young voters to enroll.

(Photo: PTI)

In light of the recent data breach scandal at Facebook involving Cambridge Analytica, Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat said that the poll panel will hold a meeting to review its association with the social media platform.

According to Indian Express, Rawat is “worried” about the data breach allegations and said that it can “affect the election arena in an adverse manner.”

The EC has reportedly tied up with Facebook at least three times in the last one year to encourage the youth to enroll for voting.

The Britain-based data mining and analysis company has come under fire along with Facebook for using the personal data of the users to influence their decisions in the 2016 US Presidential race.

Speaking to NDTV, Rawat added that despite political parties hurling accusations at each other, a formal complaint was not filed by any of them with EC.

We have to use the evolving technology to the best of voters and democracy. We have to prevent risks while using technology.

Rawat told NDTV

In a statement on 25 January, Rawat reportedly said:

On the 8th National Voters’ Day, the EC is happy to join hands with Facebook for one of the largest voters’ pledges. Through the ‘pledge’, let us renew our commitment to the cause of free, fair, peaceful and participative elections.

Earlier in 2017, Facebook in collaboration with Election Commission sent voter registeration reminders in 13 Indian languages to all its Indian users between 1 and 4 July.

Later in the year, all Facebook Indians users who turned 18, received a “birthday wish” with a reminder to register with the EC to vote, the report said.

India Warns Facebook

India on Wednesday, 23 March warned social media giant Facebook and its CEO Mark Zuckerberg against "stringent action" including summoning him over "misuse" of data to allegedly influence electoral process.

As Law Minister of India let me make it very, very clear. We fully support freedom of press, freedom of speech and expression, and free exchange of ideas on social media. But any attempt – covert or overt – by the social media including Facebook at influencing India’s electoral process through undesirable means will neither be appreciated nor tolerated.

Ravi Shankar Prasad

(With inputs from NDTV, Indian Express)