BJP: Congress shared users' data with Singapore-based firm
The Cambridge Analytica (CA) controversy continues to simmer. In its latest salvo, BJP has accused Congress of sharing users' data with a Singapore-based firm. This comes on the back of Congress's allegations that data of users who had installed the NaMo App on their cell-phones was being shared with an American firm without their consent. Here's more about how this controversy has progressed.
What is the Cambridge Analytica- Facebook controversy?
This scandal erupted after whistleblower Christopher Wylie revealed that data firm CA harvested about 50mn Facebook users' personal data to influence key events like the US presidential elections and Brexit. After the revelations, BJP slammed Congress for compromising national security by approaching CA for 2019 LS polls. Conversely, Congress panned BJP for using CA's services for 2010 Bihar elections and 2014 general elections.
What were Congress's latest allegations?
Now, Congress president Rahul Gandhi in a mocking tweet shared a link that quoted a French vigilante hacker who alleged that the personal data of Indians using the NaMo app was compromised. He wrote, "Hi! My name is Narendra Modi. I am India's Prime Minister. When you sign up for my official App, I give all your data to my friends in American companies."
BJP however denied these allegations
BJP vehemently denied Congress's charge. They said that the NaMo App, which has been downloaded over five million times, allows a user to access no other data apart from his own. Further, user data is used to give a person a "unique, personalized experience."
Promptly, BJP pays back in kind with near-identical language
BJP's IT wing in-charge Amit Malviya attached screenshots of Congress's website privacy policy and accused the latter of colluding with Singapore-based firms. He tweeted, "Full marks to Congress for stating upfront that they'll give your data to practically anyone. In theft of all forms, Congress has never been discreet!" Congress denied this saying user information is collected only for membership and data is encrypted.
