Cambridge Analytica row: Rahul accuses BJP of peddling "fake news"
Congress and BJP have been engaged in a slinging match over hiring the services of controversial data firm Cambridge Analytica (CA). BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad had earlier accused the Congress of approaching the political consultancy for strategizing for 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Congress, however, denied this charge and instead accused BJP of peddling "fake news" and using CA's services. Here's more about it.
What is the Cambridge Analytica controversy?
The scandal erupted after whistleblower Christopher Wylie revealed that data firm CA had harvested personal data of about 50mn Facebook users to understand and influence key events like the US presidential elections and Brexit. Subsequently, CA's CEO Alexander Nix was suspended pending further investigation.
Since the scandal broke out, Congress-BJP have traded barbs
In India, tempers ran high as BJP and Congress slammed one another over ties with CA. Prasad accused Congress of using CA's assistance for Gujarat elections'17. Congress, in turn, denied the charges and attacked BJP. It referred to claims made by CA's Indian partner Ovleno Business Intelligence that it had worked with BJP for 2014 general elections and 2010 Bihar Assembly elections.
How did Rahul react?
In the latest bout, Congress President Rahul Gandhi linked Prasad's charges with how the latter's ministry is performing. Spewing data, he claimed that the "legal system is collapsing, while Law Minister is preoccupied with peddling fake news." He tweeted using the hashtag "JudiciaryDemonetised."
