Facebook takes down 11,000 political ads by Helo, owned by same Chinese company as TikTok
New Delhi: Social media giant Facebook has taken down 11,000 advertisements posted by a Chinese app named Helo, due to their political content. Helo is owned by ByteDance, the same company that owns the controversial video-sharing app TikTok.
Facebook removed these ads because they referred to political figures, politics, and nationally-important issues, but did not contain a disclaimer on who paid for the ad, in line with its efforts to increase the transparency of political ad spend on its platform.
This is among the highest number of ads by a single app that Facebook has taken down. According to its Ad Library, it has also removed 49 ads by Vigo Video, also owned by ByteDance, and seven ads posted by ShareChat, a direct competitor of Helo.
The ad spend on these 11,000 ads was approximately Rs 7.7 crore, as per data available in the Facebook Ad Library. ThePrint asked Helo to confirm the accuracy of this estimate, but it said on email: “As we are a private company, we do not comment or share investment details.”
The move comes at a time when the Election Commission has raised concerns about political ads on social media platforms, which could end up influencing voters. Last month, ThePrinthad reported that the EC had written to the union law ministry, seeking a check on Facebook and Twitter ads ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Helo’s chequered track record
Helo features content like jokes, shayari, information on sports, entertainment and current affairs in 14 Indian languages.
Its ad content does not promote any particular political party, but promotes the use of Helo by showing “news” about politicians, politics and national issues. Some of its ad captions read “BJP using Atalji to the maximum potential”, “Result day tomorrow no doubt bjp return again mp election result (sic)”, “What utter ridiculousness on display by aaptards…”, or “…Rahul Gandhi said we will abolish GST, now the Congress ruled states are in disagreement to even reduce the slabs”.
The descriptions and images are peppered with sensationalism — such as politicians’ faces photoshopped on to images of an adult pushing a baby in a tricycle, and nonsensical strings of letters.
Fake news problem
In addition to questionable ad content, Helo also has an ongoing fake news content problem.
A November 2018 Hindustan Times report highlighted a range of fake news available on Helo, such as BBC purportedly calling the Congress the “fourth most corrupt party in the world” and Congress leader Sachin Pilot allegedly saying “India should have helped Pakistan clear its debt rather than invest in the Statue of Unity”.
To counter misinformation, Helo partnered with the fact-checking service AltNews in December 2018. However, there is still fake news and misleading information available on Helo platform.
For example, on 27 March, ThePrint was able to find a post on Helo linking to an article comparing the price of the meals Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi consume. According to the article, Modi eats breakfast at 7 am and eats dhokla, thepla or poha, with his meals costing about Rs 50 or 60. Gandhi, it claimed, wakes up at 6 am, exercises for two hours and then eats/drinks coffee and omelettes, or even kaju shakes and seasonal fruits, which cost about Rs 200. No sources are provided for this information.
‘Won’t publish political ads in poll period’
Helo told ThePrint it will not publish ads that may be construed as political, in keeping with the EC’s goal to ensure a fair election process.
“We have informed ECI that we will not serve any political advertisements on our platform throughout this election period,” Helo said in its email.
Helo has stopped publishing politics-related ads on Facebook on 20 February 2019.
courtesy: theprint.in
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
