Revealed: Meta approved political ads in India that incited violence

Exclusive: Ads containing AI-manipulated images were submitted to Facebook by civil and corporate accountability groups

The Facebook and Instagram owner Meta approved a series of AI-manipulated political adverts during India's election that spread disinformation and incited religious violence, according to a report shared exclusively with the Guardian.

Facebook approved adverts containing known slurs towards Muslims in India, such as let's burn this vermin" and Hindu blood is spilling, these invaders must be burned", as well as Hindu supremacist language and disinformation about political leaders.