This website collects cookies to deliver better user experience. Cookie Policy
Accept
Sign In
The Wall Street Publication
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Reading: Indian Opposition Figure Says His Twitter Following Was Restricted
Share
The Wall Street PublicationThe Wall Street Publication
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.
The Wall Street Publication > Blog > World > Indian Opposition Figure Says His Twitter Following Was Restricted
World

Indian Opposition Figure Says His Twitter Following Was Restricted

Editorial Board Published January 26, 2022
Share
Indian Opposition Figure Says His Twitter Following Was Restricted
SHARE

NEW DELHI— Rahul Gandhi, one of India’s most prominent opposition politicians, has written to Twitter Inc.’s chief executive alleging he is the victim of a government campaign to limit his ability to attract followers on the platform, throwing a fresh spotlight on how New Delhi polices U.S. social media companies.

Contents
Twitter CEO Parag AgrawalPolice detained Congress Party workers during a protest outside Twitter’s office in New Delhi last year when the company temporarily locked Rahul Gandhi’s account.

In the Dec. 27 letter, seen by The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Gandhi said he believed Twitter was unknowingly complicit in the effort, which he blamed on efforts to quash dissent by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr. Gandhi also sent an analysis of data from his Twitter account showing that the number of followers, which currently stands at 19.5 million, had barely increased for several months following an eight-day suspension in August last year.

The data, independently verified by the Journal using two social-media analytics companies, Emplifi and Social Blade, showed that he gained an average of nearly 400,000 new users a month in the first seven months of 2021. That plummeted to an average of fewer than 2,500 monthly from September to December, the data showed.

On Friday, his account suddenly gained about 11,000 new followers and since then it has attracted an average of nearly 10,000 more each day—the highest gains since early August.

“I want to bring your attention to what I believe is Twitter’s unwitting complicity in curbing free and fair speech in India,” Mr. Gandhi wrote in the letter to the Twitter chief executive, Parag Agrawal.

“I have been reliably, albeit discreetly, informed by people at Twitter India that they are under immense pressure by the government to silence my voice.”

A spokeswoman for India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology didn’t respond to requests for comment.

A Twitter spokeswoman declined to comment on Mr. Gandhi’s allegation.

She said that follower counts fluctuate as the company uses machine learning to combat spam and manipulation, adding that millions of accounts are removed each week for violating Twitter’s policies against activities such as malicious automation.

Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal

Photo: -/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

“While some accounts notice a minor difference, in certain cases the number could be higher,” the spokeswoman said. “We understand this change can be concerning, but we believe accuracy and transparency make Twitter a more trusted service for public conversation.”

Accounts are regularly challenged to validate details or complete a CAPTCHA test—which makes sure a user is human and not automated—and those that fail in a specified period may be suspended or locked, preventing them from inclusion in follower counts, according to Twitter.

“This is neither a fully explanatory nor a satisfactory response,” said Srivatsa Y B, who is in charge of digital communication for Mr. Gandhi’s office. “The chronology of events does not corroborate Twitter’s claims.”

He said Mr. Gandhi’s office didn’t use any form of automation, manipulation or spam to boost his Twitter following.

Mr. Gandhi’s letter didn’t explain how exactly he believed his follower numbers were restricted. Technology experts say it is possible to reduce an account’s influence—without outright banning it or deleting content—through a practice known as “shadow banning,” which can include removing accounts from recommended lists and limiting visibility of posts.

Twitter says it doesn’t shadow ban. “And we certainly don’t shadow ban based on political viewpoints or ideology. Our priority is to address bad-faith actors who intend to manipulate or detract from healthy conversation,” the company said.

Mr. Gandhi, a member of parliament who used to head the opposition Indian National Congress Party and is the son of its current leader, has been an active user of Twitter since 2015 and tweeted consistently over the past few months, according to data from the two analytics companies.

Police detained Congress Party workers during a protest outside Twitter’s office in New Delhi last year when the company temporarily locked Rahul Gandhi’s account.

Photo: Manish Swarup/Associated Press

He has often used the platform to criticize Mr. Modi and address politically controversial topics, including protests by Indian farmers—many of them from the state of Punjab—that prompted the government to repeal agricultural law changes.

Mr. Gandhi’s allegation comes at a sensitive moment in India’s political calendar, as it prepares for local elections in five states, including Punjab, that could be a bellwether for national polls due by 2024. With physical gatherings curtailed by Covid-19, a lot of campaigning has moved online.

They also come as technology industry experts say the government of India has tightened controls over foreign tech companies operating in the country in an effort to stifle political protests and gain more control over dialogue held on social media networks. Last year, Delhi police detained people on suspicion of collaborating with foreigners through WhatsApp, Zoom and Google documents in support of protesting farmers. Twitter blocked, unblocked, then blocked again hundreds of accounts in India after the government threatened legal action over tweets related to the protests. Officials said the posts might incite violence.

The Journal reported last year that India’s government had threatened to jail employees of Twitter, Facebook and its WhatsApp unit, prompted by the tech companies’ reluctance to comply with data and takedown requests related to the farmers’ protests. The Indian government has said that foreign companies must comply with local laws, including rules unveiled last year that give its leaders increased control over online discourse.

Also last year, Indian authorities directed Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to block dozens of social media posts criticizing their government’s handling of the Covid-19 outbreak. The government said it was trying to stop coronavirus-related misinformation. Police officers visited Twitter’s office in New Delhi to investigate the company’s labeling of tweets from a spokesman for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party as misleading. Delhi police said Twitter appeared to have information unknown to authorities.

According to Twitter’s latest transparency report, India is currently the biggest source of legal demands to remove content from the accounts of verified journalists and news outlets. The country ranks fourth behind Japan, Russia and Turkey on the list of countries sending the most requests overall to remove content, the report said. In India, Twitter has tried to fight the increasing demands from the government to lock accounts or turn over information on specific accounts, but has backed down in instances where local laws or company policies were violated, said one former executive.

Twitter’s new CEO Parag Agrawal is stepping in as the company has struggled with growth while increasingly experimenting with new products. WSJ’s Laura Forman unpacks what direction the incoming leader could take the social-media platform next. Photo: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

Industry experts said that American tech companies are in a tough spot in India. With a population of nearly 1.4 billion, it is a key market for their global growth, especially since many are locked out of China. Meta’s Facebook and WhatsApp have more users in India than in any other country. It is one of Twitter’s fastest-growing markets, and crucial to its future plans as growth slows in more developed countries.

“They’re caught between a rock and a hard place in India,” said Evelyn Douek, senior research fellow at Columbia University’s Knight First Amendment Institute. Tech firms have to balance maintaining access to a huge market, she added, with protecting free speech and local employees who are potentially vulnerable to prosecution.

“Reducing visibility can be as effective or as impactful as removing content or an account,” Ms. Douek said. But for the account holder, such practices are extremely difficult to prove or challenge, she said.

Mr. Gandhi’s recent troubles on Twitter began in August. His account was locked for eight days after he tweeted a photo of the parents of a 9-year-old New Delhi girl who was allegedly raped and murdered. Twitter said at the time that the photo violated an Indian law that prohibits releasing any identifying information about the victims of sex crimes and it restored his account after receiving a consent letter from the girl’s family and withholding the tweet within India. Mr. Gandhi said that other Twitter accounts, including government handles, tweeted similar photos without repercussions.

After that, growth slowed on his account. Even after it was unlocked, he lost hundreds of followers in September and gained only about 2,000 followers in October, according to the analytics firms.

In his letter, Mr. Gandhi urged Mr. Agrawal, who was born in India and took over the reins at Twitter in November, to intervene on his behalf.

“You have an enormous responsibility to ensure that Twitter does not actively help in the growth of authoritarianism in India,” Mr. Gandhi wrote.

Write to Shan Li at [email protected]

Copyright ©2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

TAGGED:PAIDWall Street PublicationWorld News
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Biden accused of keeping GOP lawmakers in the dark about .2T being spent on infrastructure Biden accused of keeping GOP lawmakers in the dark about $1.2T being spent on infrastructure
Next Article If Trump were president, China would be paying reparations If Trump were president, China would be paying reparations

Editor's Pick

Nicki Minaj Calls Cardi B’s Daughter ‘Ugly’; Cardi Shoots Again That Nicki’s Son Is Nonverbal Because of Drug Use Throughout Being pregnant

Nicki Minaj Calls Cardi B’s Daughter ‘Ugly’; Cardi Shoots Again That Nicki’s Son Is Nonverbal Because of Drug Use Throughout Being pregnant

Studying Time: 3 minutes The Nicki Minaj vs. Cardi B beef has been occurring for years. Like, mainly for so…

By Editorial Board 4 Min Read
China opens world’s reported largest span bridge over Beipan River valley to visitors
China opens world’s reported largest span bridge over Beipan River valley to visitors

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge opened to visitors for the primary time…

3 Min Read
Maggie Baugh: Every part We Know About Keith City’s Rumored New Girlfriend
Maggie Baugh: Every part We Know About Keith City’s Rumored New Girlfriend

Studying Time: 3 minutes Is Keith City hooking up together with his…

4 Min Read

Oponion

GOP lawmakers already divided over sweeping Trump coverage invoice

GOP lawmakers already divided over sweeping Trump coverage invoice

Congressional Republicans are clashing over sweeping laws on taxes, power…

December 4, 2024

MIAX goes public on NYSE with Miami buying and selling ground enlargement plans scheduled for September

Prairie Working Co. Market Technique EVP…

August 14, 2025

A Deep Sleep Clears the Thoughts at Night time Like a Dishwasher Cleansing–However Watch out for Sleeping Drugs

Credit score: Nadia Alzoubi and Natalie…

January 15, 2025

Job progress continued to gradual in Could amid financial uncertainty

Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., weighs in…

June 6, 2025

Scott Disick Seemingly Accused of Pressuring Ex Into Surgical procedure

Studying Time: 3 minutes Scott Disick…

February 25, 2025

You Might Also Like

Israel marks 2 years of ache since Hamas’ assault, because the Gaza struggle echoes throughout solemn memorial occasions
World

Israel marks 2 years of ache since Hamas’ assault, because the Gaza struggle echoes throughout solemn memorial occasions

Re’im, southern Israel — The folks of Israel had been marking a grim milestone on Tuesday, mourning their useless two years…

5 Min Read
Native Lady who Spent Practically 30 Years in Faculty System, Barbara Ann (Kimble) Hathaway, Passes
World

Native Lady who Spent Practically 30 Years in Faculty System, Barbara Ann (Kimble) Hathaway, Passes

Barbara Ann (Kimble) Hathaway, 87, went dwelling to her Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 2, 2025, following a short…

5 Min Read
Bob Ross work to be auctioned to boost cash for public TV stations after funding cuts
World

Bob Ross work to be auctioned to boost cash for public TV stations after funding cuts

Thirty work created by the bushy-haired, soft-spoken Bob Ross will quickly be up for public sale to defray the prices…

3 Min Read
Measles-free standing in jeopardy within the Americas as outbreaks proceed
World

Measles-free standing in jeopardy within the Americas as outbreaks proceed

The Americas area is vulnerable to shedding its measles-free standing because the extremely infectious illness continues to unfold in Canada,…

4 Min Read
The Wall Street Publication

About Us

The Wall Street Publication, a distinguished part of the Enspirers News Group, stands as a beacon of excellence in journalism. Committed to delivering unfiltered global news, we pride ourselves on our trusted coverage of Politics, Business, Technology, and more.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?