Political Manipulation of the Israel-Hamas Conflict on WhatsApp in India

Abstract

This study provides a descriptive narrative of how the Israel-Hamas conflict was portrayed and discussed on WhatsApp in India. Even though India is not a direct stakeholder in the conflict, we uncover a substantial, orchestrated campaign disseminating extreme hate speech and misinformation. Our analysis reveals a deliberate use of the conflict to propagate anti-Muslim rhetoric, bolstering pro-Israel and pro-Indian government narratives, likely for political advantage in electoral contexts. This article explores the consequences of designing digital platforms that balance privacy with the need to curb harmful content: their lack of moderation and susceptibility to exploitation by politically motivated actors. We discuss the adeptness of political entities in manipulating narratives, underscoring the far-reaching effects of local narratives in a globally connected environment, and prompting a reevaluation of platform responsibilities and design strategies in the face of evolving digital manipulation tactics.