Reporters Without Orders Ep 306: Land deals in Ayodhya, BJP’s data collection app
Jan 27, 2024
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Ayush Tiwari, a reporter, talks about shady land deals in Ayodhya involving the BJP and the Adani group. Srishti Jaswal, an independent journalist, discusses the BJP's data collection app and data manipulation in India. The podcast covers topics like land deals, data privacy concerns, and the vulnerability of misidentification due to facial recognition technology.
Shady land deals in Ayodhya involving a BJP-linked firm selling ecologically sensitive land to Adani highlight potential corruption
The BJP's data collection app, Saral, raises concerns about data manipulation and privacy in political campaigns
Deep dives
Data Collection and Transparency
The podcast discusses the importance of transparent data collection and the need for companies and organizations to adhere to transparency procedures. It emphasizes the significance of maintaining privacy and security when collecting and utilizing personal data, especially in the context of private limited forms and societies.
Market Manipulation and Electoral Strategy
The episode highlights the use of data analysis and targeted campaigning in political elections, particularly focusing on the strategies employed by the BJP in India. It mentions the success of the party in closely contested seats and the manipulation of electoral outcomes through data-driven tactics, such as voter targeting and campaign ramping.
Surveillance State and Privacy Concerns
The podcast delves into the issue of surveillance state and its implications, particularly in India. It discusses the government's ability to surveil citizens' phones and emphasizes the importance of using encrypted modes for communication. It addresses the concerns surrounding facial recognition technology, CCTV surveillance, and the potential misuse of personal data gathered from various sources.
Facial Recognition Technology and Its Applications
The episode explores the applications of facial recognition technology in India, including its use in tracking attendance at government programs, religious gatherings, and political events. It raises concerns about the growing surveillance capabilities and the testing ground for a surveillance state that these developments present.
This week, host Basant Kumar is joined by Ayush Tiwari from Scroll and independent journalist Srishti Jaswal.
Ayush reported on shady land deals in Ayodhya, where a firm linked to the BJP sold ecologically sensitive land to the Adani group. He explains how there have been other “crazy” land deals over the past years.
Srishti talks about her report on the BJP’s data collection app, Saral, and what the party hopes to achieve from it. She says data manipulation in India is “too easy”.