Zuckerberg's Admission On Bending To US Deep State: Why India And Others Must Keep Their Guard Up

Mark Zuckerberg has finally come clean about something many of us suspected all along: 'Big Tech' was not just a bystander but an active participant in a censorship scandal orchestrated by the deep state of the United States (US).

For years, platforms like Facebook and Twitter (now X) silenced dissent and suppressed alternative viewpoints under the guise of fighting misinformation.

Now, Zuckerberg’s confession that these tech giants were dancing to the deep state’s tune is less of a bombshell and more of a confirmation of what we already knew.

The media might spin Zuckerberg’s recent admission as groundbreaking, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Back in 2019, Zuckerberg himself hinted at this troubling reality, saying Facebook was “more like a government than a traditional company”.

Zuckerberg’s so-called regret and newfound resolve to resist future interference are more about adjusting to the changing political winds than genuine remorse.

With Donald Trump — the leading contender for the US presidency — railing against censorship, Zuckerberg can’t afford to be seen as complacent.

His past actions were not about safeguarding public health or combating foreign influence; they were about enforcing the deep state’s narrative.

The real question is whether the US deep state will resist the temptation to use these powerful tools for influence abroad. Given their history of meddling, it's hard to believe they’ll pass up the chance to manipulate public opinion on a global scale.

Consider the recent upheavals in India, like the Punjab farmers' protests and the controversy over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). These events showcased how social media can both amplify and distort political movements.

If narratives can be manipulated in such a manner, it’s not a stretch to think they could do the same on an even grander scale, perhaps in an election. With artificial intelligence (AI) enhancing these capabilities, shaping public opinion and swaying elections could become a routine part of the deep state’s toolkit.

India, already grappling with its own complex political issues like the caste census, faces a severe threat from the unchecked influence of Western tech giants.

Indian agencies are ill-equipped to deal with the sophisticated ways these platforms can manipulate public discourse. Social media’s reach and the power of advanced AI mean that narratives can be engineered and twisted on a scale never before seen.

The experience of the recent protests in India shows how easily these platforms can be exploited to distort political realities. What’s more worrying is that India’s regulatory framework for digital platforms remains woefully inadequate. Despite some attempts to enforce stricter guidelines, the lack of a strategy and technical expertise leaves India vulnerable to manipulation and misinformation campaigns.

Banning a dozen Twitter (X) accounts or YouTube channels wouldn't do much.

As for the US, a potential Trump return to the White House might restore some domestic balance, but it’s unlikely to end interference abroad. In fact, two years into his first term, Trump authorised the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to launch a covert campaign on Chinese social media to sway public opinion against its government, according to former US officials.

This operation underscores the US deep state’s readiness to manipulate foreign narratives to its advantage. With a track record of spying on allies and partners, there's no reason to believe the US would shy away from using its tech giants to nudge outcomes in its favour.

Bangladesh’s recent situation is a perfect example of how the US can use its grip on tech platforms to influence other countries' political scenes.