In what is being termed India’s biggest digital scandal, YouTube India is under intense scrutiny following allegations that 24 employees manipulated the platform’s algorithm to benefit specific YouTubers. The scandal, first brought to light by journalist Rohan Dua, suggests a deep-rooted conspiracy involving phone calls, iMessage, and WhatsApp conversations between YouTube employees and content creators.
Dua, who has been vocal about the issue on social media, tweeted, “India’s biggest scandal is taking place on YouTube, YouTube India with alleged involvement of 24 employees whose calls, iMessages & WhatsApp calls with YouTubers are under lens on algorithm alteration.” He added that a surgical strike on the “left ecosystem” was imminent, accusing liberal social media influencers of being heavily promoted through these illicit activities.
India’s biggest scandal is taking place on @YouTube @YouTubeIndia with alleged involvement of 24 employees whose calls, imessages & Whatsapp calls with Youtubers are under lens on algorithm alteration.
We have moved High Court.
I WILL EXPOSE THEM FULLY. WHATEVER IT TAKES pic.twitter.com/8wceSCryQR
— Rohan Dua (@rohanduaT02) July 3, 2024
The investigation reportedly focuses on the interactions between the YouTube employees and the YouTubers, with allegations of algorithm manipulation to alter video rankings and visibility. This manipulation purportedly aimed to promote content that aligns with certain political ideologies while suppressing neutral or pro-BJP content.
List of Affected Channels
Dua provided a list of YouTube channels allegedly benefiting from this manipulation, along with their view counts and market share:
Earlier, Dua’s tweets had sparked widespread outrage and concern over the integrity of digital platforms. He revealed that India’s intelligence agencies are now involved, having received recordings of conversations among 17 YouTube India employees who allegedly instructed on shadow-banning neutral coverage while promoting content critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
These employees, five females and twelve males from Mumbai, Kerala, and West Bengal, are accused of altering the YouTube algorithm and imposing arbitrary bans on 93 journalists and 42 channels. These channels reportedly provided neutral coverage of the BJP during the election, which allegedly led to their suppression on the platform.
Dua mentioned that his channel has faced similar shadow bans. He is collaborating with lawyers to present evidence of this alleged corruption to the Delhi High Court and the police. The evidence aims to expose a deep-rooted criminal nexus under IPC Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and IT 2021.
“If investigated thoroughly, this could be a clear case of criminal conspiracy under IPC Sections 127A, 120B, and 171B/R (bribery charges),” Dua stated.
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