BJP uses Tek Fog app to manipulate opinion, harass opponents

India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was accused of using a software application named Tek Fog to manipulate public opinion and intimidate, harass, and abuse political opponents and journalists.

A multi-part investigation by The Wire following a whistleblower tip-off indicated that the BJP had been artificially inflating the party's popularity, harassing its critics and manipulating public opinion across a number of major social media and mobile platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter.

The investigation also claimed that the BJP, Persistent Systems and Mohalla Tech were involved in deploying the app, with members of the BJP's youth wing, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), supervising the operators - though each denied being involved.

The revelations prompted public condemnation from politicians, rights groups, The Editor's Guild, and The Delhi Union of Journalists, and spurred an investigation by India's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs.

The incident raised questions about BJP governance and ethics, and the need for vigilance against potential misuse of technology in a political context.

➕ In October 2022, The Wire withdrew its Tek Fog series after revelations about earlier misconduct by journalist Devesh Kumar, and apologised to its readers. 

Investigations, assessments, audits 🧐

• https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/1.html

• https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/2.html

• https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/3.html

News, commentary, analysis 🗞️

• https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/tek-fog-app-a-threat-to-national-security-says-derek-o-brien-122011001480_1.html

• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/parliamentary-panel-asks-home-secretary-to-respond-on-tek-fog-app/article38258217.ece

• https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/use-of-tek-fog-by-bjp-immoral-and-unconstitutional-another-tool-to-treat-indian-citizens-as-enemies-of-state

• https://www.ndtv.com/opinion/bjp-accused-of-using-app-tek-fog-to-target-intimidate-critics-2705566

• https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-01-12/india-s-tek-fog-shrouds-an-escalating-political-war-against-modi-s-critics

• https://qz.com/india/2110005/bjp-supporters-use-tek-fog-to-manipulate-whatsapp-and-twitter/

• https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/wire-retracts-meta-stories-tek-fog-investigation-be-reviewed-too-169165