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{{Short description|Social media misinformation controversy}}
{{Article for deletion/dated|page=Tek Fog|timestamp=20220111042328|year=2022|month=January|day=11|substed=yes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2022}}{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
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<!-- End of AfD message, feel free to edit beyond this point -->{{Short description|Application software used by BJP}}
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{{Use Indian English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}


'''Tek Fog''' is an [[application software]] used by the [[Organisation of the Bharatiya Janata Party#BJP IT Cell|information technology cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party]] as part of their social media campaigning to spread propaganda.<ref name="Quartz" /> In 2022, [[The Wire (India)|''The Wire'']] reported that the Tek Fog app was used by BJP "to artificially inflate the popularity of the party, harass its critics and manipulate public perceptions at scale across major social media platforms."<ref name="Wire Tek Fog 6 Jan" /><ref name="Monde" /><ref name="Quartz">{{cite news |last1=Subramanian |first1=Samanth |title=Right-wing Indians have their own app to manipulate Whatsapp and Twitter |url=https://qz.com/india/2110005/bjp-supporters-use-tek-fog-to-manipulate-whatsapp-and-twitter/ |access-date=6 January 2022 |work=Quartz |date=6 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=An App Called Tek Fog Helps Cyber Troops With Links to BJP Automate Hate Online, an Investigation Reveals |url=https://www.newsclick.in/An-App-Called-Tek-Fog-Helps-Cyber-Troops-Links-BJP-Automate-Hate-Online-Investigation-Reveals |access-date=6 January 2022 |work=NewsClick |date=6 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref>.
'''Tek Fog''' is a non-existent application that was the center of a [[The Wire (India)#Meta/XCheck controversy|2022 social media misinformation controversy]] wherein  the news outlet [[The Wire (India)|''The Wire'']] accused the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) of using the application "to manipulate social media," based on evidence that was later proven to be fabricated. It also claimed that BJP's [[Amit Malviya]] had powers to remove social media posts on command.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. N. M. |date=2022-10-23 |title=The Wire retracts Meta stories, Tek Fog investigation to be reviewed too |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/wire-retracts-meta-stories-tek-fog-investigation-be-reviewed-too-169165 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>


Tek Fog was used to manage [[Astroturfing|inauthentic accounts]] en masse on social media. Tek Fog was capable of [[Black hat (computer security)|hacking]] inactive [[WhatsApp]] accounts en masse in order to mass message their contacts with propaganda messages, while impersonating the account owner. According to ''The Wire'', a whistleblower with app access was able to hack a test WhatsApp account controlled by reporters "within minutes."
The story went viral in India and drew reactions from opposition politicians, as well as international media houses.


An investigation by ''The Wire'' found that [[Bharatiya Janata Party]], [[Persistent Systems]] and [[ShareChat]] were involved in the use of the App. [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]] (Youth wing of [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]) members supervised the operators and gave them ideological operation.{{Clarify|date=January 2022|reason=What does ideological operation mean?}} It reported that Mohalla Tech (the owner of [[ShareChat]]) was involved in the management of Tek Fog. The whistleblower, responsible for the discovery of Tek Fog, was paid via Mohalla Tech as their assigned client, and ShareChat was widely exploited by Tek Fog.<ref name="Wire Tek Fog 6 Jan" /> ''The Wire'' found that [[Persistent Systems]] was involved in the production and management of Tek Fog. An internal source within Persistent System confirmed the involvement of the company, with 17,000 files connected to Tek Fog developed by Persistent Systems.<ref name="Wire Tek Fog 6 Jan" />
One of the two authors of the report published in the news outlet [[The Wire (India)|''The Wire'']] for the non-existant app Tek Fog was Devesh Kumar.<ref name=":1" /> After allegations emerged that Kumar had fabricated evidence in later news stories about [[Meta Platforms|Meta Platforms, Inc.]], ''The Wire'' fired Kumar, alleged that he had intended to discredit the outlet, and filed a police report.The Delhi Police registered a case against the news website following a complaint filed by Malviya.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author=Scroll Staff |date=2022-10-30 |title='The Wire' files police complaint against researcher Devesh Kumar over Meta articles |url=https://scroll.in/latest/1036179/the-wire-files-police-complaint-against-researcher-devesh-kumar-over-meta-articles |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ''The Wire'' issued a formal apology to its readers and took down the Meta and Tek Fog reports.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Wire Editorial: To Our Readers, an Apology and a Promise |url=https://thewire.in/media/the-wire-editorial-to-our-readers-an-apology-and-a-promise |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=The Wire}}</ref>


MP [[Derek O'Brien (politician)|Derek O'Brien]] has called for a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, to discuss the app.<ref name="parliamentary panel meet" /> [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] has urged the Supreme court to ask its expert panel to investigate the app.<ref name="Tribune News 7 Jan" /> The [[Editors Guild of India]] condemned "the online harassment of women journalists, which includes targeted and organised online trolling as well as threats of sexual abuse" and demanded steps to break and dismantle the "misogynistic and abusive digital eco-system" of Tek Fog.
== Initial story ==


== ''The Wire'' Investigation==
Alerted by a supposed disgruntled employee-turned-[[whistleblower]], the Indian news publication ''[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]'' reportedly conducted a two-year investigation and published its findings in January 2022.<ref name="Culpan bloomberg" /> This report claimed that the Tek Fog application was used "to artificially inflate the popularity of the Bharatiya Janata Party, harass its critics and manipulate public perceptions at scale across major social media platforms" and to "amplify right-wing propaganda".<ref name="Wire Tek Fog 6 Jan">{{Cite news |last1=Kaul |first1=Ayushman |last2=Kumar |first2=Devesh |date=6 January 2022 |title=Tek Fog: An App With BJP Footprints for Cyber Troops to Automate Hate, Manipulate Trends |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/1.html |archive-date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106083630/https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/1.html |url-status=deviated }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 January 2022 |title=An App Called Tek Fog Helps Cyber Troops With Links to BJP Automate Hate Online, an Investigation Reveals |language=en |work=NewsClick |url=https://www.newsclick.in/An-App-Called-Tek-Fog-Helps-Cyber-Troops-Links-BJP-Automate-Hate-Online-Investigation-Reveals |archive-date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106113353/https://www.newsclick.in/An-App-Called-Tek-Fog-Helps-Cyber-Troops-Links-BJP-Automate-Hate-Online-Investigation-Reveals |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Quartz">{{Cite news |last=Subramanian |first=Samanth |date=6 January 2022 |title=Right-wing Indians have their own app to manipulate Whatsapp and Twitter |language=en |work=Quartz |url=https://qz.com/india/2110005/bjp-supporters-use-tek-fog-to-manipulate-whatsapp-and-twitter/ |archive-date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106135120/https://qz.com/india/2110005/bjp-supporters-use-tek-fog-to-manipulate-whatsapp-and-twitter/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
An investigation by ''The Wire'' found that Tek Fog an [[application software]] was used by the [[Organisation_of_the_Bharatiya_Janata_Party#BJP_IT_Cell|information technology cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party]] as part of their social media campaigning to spread propaganda.<ref name="Quartz" /> In 2022, [[The Wire (India)|''The Wire'']] reported that the Tek Fog app was used by BJP "to artificially inflate the popularity of the party, harass its critics and manipulate public perceptions at scale across major social media platforms."<ref name="Wire Tek Fog 6 Jan">{{cite news |title=Tek Fog: An App With BJP Footprints for Cyber Troops to Automate Hate, Manipulate Trends |author1=Ayushman Kaul |author2=Devesh Kumar |url=https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/1.html |access-date=6 January 2022 |work=The Wire |date=6 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="Monde">{{cite news |title=Tek Fog, un vaste système pour manipuler l’opinion sur les réseaux sociaux en Inde |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2022/01/06/tek-fog-un-vaste-systeme-pour-manipuler-l-opinion-sur-les-reseaux-sociaux-en-inde_6108420_4408996.html |access-date=6 January 2022 |work=Le Monde.fr |date=6 January 2022 |language=fr}}</ref><ref name="Quartz" />  


Tek Fog was used to manage [[Astroturfing|inauthentic accounts]] en masse on social media. Tek Fog was capable of [[Black hat (computer security)|hacking]] inactive [[WhatsApp]] accounts en masse in order to mass message their contacts with propaganda messages, while impersonating the inactive WhatsApp account owner.  
''The Wire'' investigation also claimed that the BJP, along with the private companies [[Persistent Systems]] and [[Mohalla Tech]] (which operates a service called ShareChat), were involved in deploying the app. The members of BJP's youth wing, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), were said to have supervised the operators, giving them ideological directions.<ref name="Wire Tek Fog 6 Jan" /> The investigation also claimed that an unnamed internal source within Persistent Systems found 17,000 files connected to Tek Fog which were developed by Persistent Systems.<ref name="Wire Tek Fog 6 Jan" />


===Hijacking of social media trends===
In January 2022, Devang Dave, head of the BJYM IT Cell, denied that he or anyone from his organisation knew about such an app.<ref name="WP" /> Persistent Systems and Mohalla Tech denied any involvement with each other or with Tek Fog.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Persistent confirms no involvement with Tek Fog, Mohalla Tech Pvt. Ltd and Sharechat |url=https://www.persistent.com/media/news/tf-statement/ |access-date=19 January 2022 |website=persistent.com |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118221032/https://www.persistent.com/media/news/tf-statement/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The BJP youth wing functionary Devang Dave, who was claimed to have supervised the operation, denied the party's involvement.<ref name="Culpan bloomberg" />
The Tek Fog app could hijack the 'trending' section of social media sites, [[Twitter]] and [[Facebook]]. The operators of Tek Fog could share and forward social media messages automatically by an individual or a group. This was used to artificially inflate the popularity of "extremist narratives and political campaigns." <ref name="The Wire Care" />


===Phishing and capturing inactive WhatsApp accounts===
On 23 October 2022, ''The Wire'' removed its Tek Fog investigation from its website, "pending the outcome of an internal review". ''The Wire'' has accused one of the story's authors of "deception" in a separate series of articles on [[Meta Platforms|Meta]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=2022-10-26 |title=The Wire blames retracted Meta story on 'deception' by staff member |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/26/23425377/the-wire-subject-deception-member-team-meta-india |access-date=2022-10-29 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref>
Tek Fog was capable of [[Black hat (computer security)|hacking]] inactive [[WhatsApp]] accounts en masse in order to mass message their contacts with propaganda messages, while impersonating the inactive WhatsApp account owner. Inactive WhatsApp accounts are those accounts that were not being used by its registered user, either because WhatsApp was uninstalled from the phone or the phone was [[factory reset|reset]].<ref name="Part 2 Wire">{{cite news |title=Tek Fog: Morphing URLs to Make Real News Fake, 'Hijacking' WhatsApp to Drive BJP Propaganda |url=https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/2.html |access-date=10 January 2022 |work=The Wire |date=10 January 2022}}</ref>


As a first step of the process the targeted WhatsApp accounts that were active were sent a [[multimedia|media]] file (video or image) from an unknown number. The media file contained [[spyware]] that became active after download. The downloaded spyware would make the phone vulnerable to remote surveillance. The hacker would be able to monitor its activity status. When the phone became inactive due to (unistallation or reset). The inactive status would be visible to the hacker, who could take control of the target account and use it to send messages remotely, without the knowledge of the owner of the targeted WhatsApp account.
=== Claimed features ===
''The Wire's report'' described the app as being capable of several actions.<ref name="The Wire Care">{{Cite news |last1=Kaul |first1=Ayushman |last2=Kumar |first2=Devesh |date=7 January 2022 |title=Explainer: Here's What the Tek Fog App Can Do, and Why You Should Care |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/tech/explainer-heres-what-the-tek-fog-app-can-do-and-why-you-should-care |archive-date=7 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107074250/https://thewire.in/tech/explainer-heres-what-the-tek-fog-app-can-do-and-why-you-should-care |url-status=deviated }}</ref> These capabilities purportedly included being able to hijack the '"trending"' section of social media sites, [[Twitter]] and [[Facebook]], bulk-hacking of inactive [[WhatsApp]] accounts,<ref name="Part 2 Wire">{{Cite news |date=10 January 2022 |title=Tek Fog: Morphing URLs to Make Real News Fake, 'Hijacking' WhatsApp to Drive BJP Propaganda |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/2.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110060404/https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/2.html |url-status=deviated }}</ref> among other functionalities.<ref name="Wire Tek Fog Part 3">{{Cite news |last1=Kaul |first1=Ayushman |last2=Kumar |first2=Devesh |date=14 January 2022 |title=Tek Fog in Action: Targeting Women Journalists, Pushing Communal Narrative on COVID, Delhi Violence |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/3.html |archive-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603211435/https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/3.html |url-status=deviated }}</ref><ref name="Sanghera">{{Cite news |last=Sanghera |first=Tish |title=Tek Fog: Indian government weaponises social media |language=en |work=FairPlanet|date=15 January 2022 |url=https://www.fairplanet.org/editors-pick/tek-fog-indian-government-weaponises-social-media/ |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228102220/https://www.fairplanet.org/editors-pick/tek-fog-indian-government-weaponises-social-media/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


Only inactive WhatsApp accounts were targeted. Sending messages remotely from an active WhatsApp account would create suspicion from the original owner.<ref name="Part 2 Wire" />
Other features supposedly included promoting favourable viewpoints through misinformation targeting users perceived to be BJP party opponents.<ref name="Culpan bloomberg" /><ref name="Le Monde">{{Cite news |last=Leloup |first=Damien |date=6 January 2022 |title=Tek Fog, un vaste système pour manipuler l'opinion sur les réseaux sociaux en Inde |language=fr|trans-title=Tek Fog, a vast system to guide opinion on social networks in India |work=Le Monde |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2022/01/06/tek-fog-un-vaste-systeme-pour-manipuler-l-opinion-sur-les-reseaux-sociaux-en-inde_6108420_4408996.html |archive-date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106135122/https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2022/01/06/tek-fog-un-vaste-systeme-pour-manipuler-l-opinion-sur-les-reseaux-sociaux-en-inde_6108420_4408996.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Tek Fog was also alleged to have managed a huge database of Indian citizens which included specific data regarding their occupation, religion, age, gender, etc., which was then used to deliver targeted insults and criticism.<ref name="Le Monde" /><ref name="WP">{{Cite news |date=7 January 2022 |title=A cyber commission was Congress' secret weapon |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/01/07/cyber-commission-was-congress-secret-weapon/ |id={{ProQuest|2617607410}} |archive-date=7 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107125558/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/01/07/cyber-commission-was-congress-secret-weapon/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


According to ''The Wire'', while verifying this exploit, the whistleblower with access to Tek Fog was able to hack and take control of a test WhatsApp account used by its reporters "within minutes." It then sent a message to all the frequent contacts of the captured account.<ref name="Wire Tek Fog 6 Jan" />
=== Alleged victims ===
The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) released a statement condemning the app stating that women journalists were "prime targets of the app" and noting that ''The Wire'' investigation listed several women journalists who received up to one million abusive tweets between January and May 2021, including [[Rana Ayyub]], [[Barkha Dutt]], [[Nidhi Razdan]], Rohini Singh, [[Swati Chaturvedi]], [[Sagarika Ghose]], Manisha Pande, [[Faye D'Souza]], [[Arfa Khanum Sherwani]] and [[Smita Prakash]].<ref name="DUJ Statement">{{Cite news |date=11 January 2022 |title=Delhi Union of Journalists Denounces Tek Fog, Demands SC Intervention |language=en |work=NewsClick |url=https://www.newsclick.in/Delhi-Union-Journalists-Denounces-Tek-Fog-Demands-SC-Intervention |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111122648/https://www.newsclick.in/Delhi-Union-Journalists-Denounces-Tek-Fog-Demands-SC-Intervention |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Database of private citizens for targeted harassment===
On 9 January 2022, journalist [[Arfa Khanum Sherwani]] released a list of prominent women from several religions including Hindus whom Sherwani alleged were targeted and harassed by hackers using Tek Fog.<ref name="DW Auction">{{Cite news |date=10 January 2022 |title=India: 'Auction' of Muslim women on apps reveals widespread online abuse |publisher=Deutsche Welle |url=https://www.dw.com/en/india-auction-of-muslim-women-on-apps-reveals-widespread-online-abuse/a-60379358 |quote=Journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani then released on Sunday a list of prominent female voices from various faiths, including Hindus, who have been targeted and threatened by Tek Fog. |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111022001/https://www.dw.com/en/india-auction-of-muslim-women-on-apps-reveals-widespread-online-abuse/a-60379358 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Tek Fog had an extensive database of private citizens with information about their "occupation, religion, language, age, gender, political inclination and even physical attributes like skin tone and breast size." ''The Wire'' had received screenshots that showed these parameters. ''The Wire'' verified the existence of database by monitoring harassment messages that were sent with extreme granularity to "female journalists", who were among the targeted groups.<ref name="The Wire Care" />
=== Modification of existing news articles ===
Tek Fog had an ability to modify existing news articles to change its links and keywords. The changed link would then lead the read to a webpage that looked similar to the original website but had fake content, different from what the original author had written. The text modification capabilities were powered by [[artificial intelligence]] models.<ref name="Part 2 Wire" />


===Automated messaging===
==Reactions==
Tek Fog could send automated messages from inauthentic accounts automatically created in bulk. These primarily contained political propaganda and abuse messages.<ref name="Part 2 Wire" />
The [[Editors Guild of India]] initially said ''The Wire'' investigation "laid bare an extensive and well funded network built around [the] app".<ref name="EGI Quint 11 Jan">{{Cite news |date=11 January 2022 |title='Abusive Digital Ecosystem': EGI Demands SC To Take Cognisance of Tek Fog App |language=en |work=The Quint |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/abusive-digital-eco-system-editors-guild-demands-supreme-court-to-take-cognisance-of-tek-fog-app#read-more |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111080212/https://www.thequint.com/news/india/abusive-digital-eco-system-editors-guild-demands-supreme-court-to-take-cognisance-of-tek-fog-app#read-more |url-status=live }}</ref> It condemned "the continuing online harassment of women journalists" and called for "urgent steps to break and dismantle this misogynistic and abusive digital eco-system".<ref name="Newslaundry Editors Guild">{{Cite news |date=11 January 2022 |title=From Tek Fog to 'Bulli Bai', Editors Guild condemns 'online harassment of women journalists' |work=Newslaundry |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/01/11/from-tek-fog-to-bulli-bai-editors-guild-condemns-online-harassment-of-women-journalists |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111054156/https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/01/11/from-tek-fog-to-bulli-bai-editors-guild-condemns-online-harassment-of-women-journalists |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Misogynistic abusive">{{Cite news |date=11 January 2022 |title='Misogynistic, abusive': Editors' Guild demands SC probe into Tek Fog app |language=en |work=The News Minute |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/misogynistic-abusive-editors-guild-demands-sc-probe-tek-fog-app-159735 |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111105951/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/misogynistic-abusive-editors-guild-demands-sc-probe-tek-fog-app-159735 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Guild later retracted its statements after ''The Wire'' removed the original articles,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Editors Guild retracts Tek Fog remarks after 'The Wire' takes down its articles |url=https://scroll.in/latest/1036058/editors-guild-removes-references-to-articles-on-tek-fog-after-the-wire-retracts-its-investigation
 
|access-date=2022-11-03 |website=Scroll.in |date=28 October 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> citing concerns about accuracy and insufficient "journalistic norms and checks".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Post Wire apology, Editors Guild retracts statement on Tek Fog, urges due diligence in reporting |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/post-wire-apology-editors-guild-retracts-statement-on-tek-fog-urges-due-diligence-in-reporting-445163
=== Political-corporate nexus===
|access-date=2022-10-29 |website=Tribuneindia News Service |language=en}}</ref>
The use of Tek Fog is part of a political-corporate nexus that had connected large tech players and platforms with the political party BJP.<ref name="The Wire Care" />
 
==Organisations involved==
* [[Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha]] (Youth wing of [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]). A former National Social Media and IT Head of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha who currently worked as the election manager of BJP in Maharashtra was the immediate supervisor of the source in ''The Wire'' investigation. BJYM members supervised the operators and gave them ideological operation.  ''The Wire'' verified their involvement using the codes sent through their official email id. These codes helped to identify the secure server hosting Tek Fog and external websites connecting to the Tek Fog server.<ref name="The Wire Care">{{cite news |title=Explainer: Here's What the Tek Fog App Can Do, and Why You Should Care |author1=Ayushman Kaul |author2=Devesh Kumar |url=https://thewire.in/tech/explainer-heres-what-the-tek-fog-app-can-do-and-why-you-should-care |date=7 January 2022 |access-date=7 January 2022 |work=The Wire}}</ref>  
* [[Persistent Systems]] is an Indian-American technology services company involved in development and maintenance. A current employee of the company provided documents related to the development of the application from the company's internal servers. It showed around 17,000 assets found by the searc term "Tek Fog".<ref name="The Wire Care" />  
 
* [[ShareChat]] is a social media platform created by Mohalla Tech Pvt. Ltd. The operatives of the Tek Fog had used Sharechat, "to test and curate fake news, political propaganda and hate speech before automating it to other popular social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp". The involvement of ShareChat was verified through 14 accounts controlled using Tek Fog. These 14 accounts had made posts on Share chat, Twitter and Facebook in April 2020. ''The Wire'' found that 90% of the social media posts from these accounts were first uploaded on ShareChat after which they were moved to Twitter or Facebook.<ref name="The Wire Care" />
 
==Victims==
The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) in a statement condemning the app said that the "Women journalists have been prime targets of the app. ''The Wire'' investigation lists women journalists who received up to one million abusive tweets between January and May 2021. They include [[Rana Ayyub]], [[Barkha Dutt]], [[Nidhi Razdan]], Rohini Singh, [[Swati Chaturvedi]], [[Sagarika Ghose]], Manisha Pande, [[Faye D'Souza]], [[Arfa Khanum Sherwani]] and [[Smita Prakash]]".<ref name="DUJ Statement">{{cite news |title=Delhi Union of Journalists Denounces Tek Fog, Demands SC Intervention |url=https://www.newsclick.in/Delhi-Union-Journalists-Denounces-Tek-Fog-Demands-SC-Intervention |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=NewsClick |date=11 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
 
On 9 January, journalist [[Arfa Khanum Sherwani]] released a list of prominent women from several religions including Hindus, who were targeted and harassed by Tek Fog.<ref name="DW Auction">{{cite news |title=India: 'Auction' of Muslim women on apps reveals widespread online abuse |url=https://www.dw.com/en/india-auction-of-muslim-women-on-apps-reveals-widespread-online-abuse/a-60379358 |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=10 January 2022 |quote=Journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani then released on Sunday a list of prominent female voices from various faiths, including Hindus, who have been targeted and threatened by Tek Fog.}}</ref>


==Reactions==
Opposition parties denounced the app as a national security threat and demanded a probe. [[Rajya Sabha]] MP [[Derek O'Brien (politician)|Derek O'Brien]] of the [[Trinamool Congress]] called for a meeting of the [[Standing Committee on Home Affairs|Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs]] to discuss the app and said it "has serious ramifications and could jeopardise national security."<ref name="Derek O’Brien">{{Cite news |date=6 January 2022 |title='Could Jeopardise National Security': Derek O'Brien Wants Standing Committee To Discuss 'Tek Fog' |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/government/tmc-mp-derek-o-brien-standing-committe-home-affairs-tek-fog |archive-date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106143641/https://thewire.in/government/tmc-mp-derek-o-brien-standing-committe-home-affairs-tek-fog |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="parliamentary panel meet" /> The [[Indian National Congress]] (INC), in a tweet from its official Twitter handle, called Tek Fog, "a poisonous weapon of the BJP's propaganda machinery".<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 January 2022 |title=BJP conspiring to spread hatred in India: Rahul Gandhi |work=Kashmir Media Service |url=https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/01/10/bjp-conspiring-to-spread-hatred-in-india-rahul-gandhi.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111070345/https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/01/10/bjp-conspiring-to-spread-hatred-in-india-rahul-gandhi.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Tribune News 7 Jan">{{Cite news |date=7 January 2022 |title=Congress accuses BJP of using 'Tek Fog' app to propagate its agenda on social media, seeks SC's intervention |language=en |work=Tribuneindia News Service |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/congress-accuses-bjp-of-using-tek-fog-app-to-propagate-its-agenda-on-social-media-seeks-scs-intervention-359136 |archive-date=7 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107170145/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/congress-accuses-bjp-of-using-tek-fog-app-to-propagate-its-agenda-on-social-media-seeks-scs-intervention-359136 |url-status=live }}</ref> Congress leader [[Rahul Gandhi]] called the app one of several "factories of [[Hate speech|hate]]" set up by the BJP.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 January 2022 |title=BJP has set up several factories of hate, Tek Fog app one of them: Rahul Gandhi |language=en |work=Deccan Herald |agency=Press Trust of India |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/bjp-has-set-up-several-factories-of-hate-tek-fog-app-one-of-them-rahul-gandhi-1069196.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110070345/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/bjp-has-set-up-several-factories-of-hate-tek-fog-app-one-of-them-rahul-gandhi-1069196.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The journalist body, [[Editors Guild of India]] said that ''The Wire'' investigation "laid bare an extensive and well funded network built around an app, Tek Fog, which steals unused WhatsApp accounts to send out toxic messages to targeted journalists",  "several women journalists were subjected to thousands of abusive tweets". "The purpose of this deeply hurtful messages was to instill fear in them and prevent them from expressing themselves freely and go about their jobs."<ref name="EGI Quint 11 Jan">{{cite news |title=‘Abusive Digital Ecosystem’: EGI Demands SC To Take Cognisance of Tek Fog App |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/abusive-digital-eco-system-editors-guild-demands-supreme-court-to-take-cognisance-of-tek-fog-app#read-more |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=The Quint |date=11 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The Editors Guild condemned "the continuing online harassment of women journalists, which includes targeted and organised online trolling as well as threats of sexual abuse." The Guild demanded "urgent steps to break and dismantle this misogynistic and abusive digital eco-system".<ref name="Newslaundry Editors Guild">{{cite news |title=From Tek Fog to 'Bulli Bai', Editors Guild condemns 'online harassment of women journalists' |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/01/11/from-tek-fog-to-bulli-bai-editors-guild-condemns-online-harassment-of-women-journalists |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=Newslaundry |date=11 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="Misogynistic abusive" />


[[Indian National Congress|Congress party]] called Tek Fog, "a poisonous weapon of the BJP’s propaganda machinery, which is harmful to the country".<ref>{{cite news |title=BJP conspiring to spread hatred in India: Rahul Gandhi |url=https://www.kmsnews.org/kms/2022/01/10/bjp-conspiring-to-spread-hatred-in-india-rahul-gandhi.html |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=Kashmir Media Service |date=10 January 2022}}</ref> The [[Ministry_of_Home_Affairs_Government_of_Maharashtra#List_of_Ministers_of_State|Minister of State for Home]] in [[Uddhav Thackeray ministry|Maharashtra government]], [[Satej Patil]] questioned the silence of the Government of India and Information and Technology ministry over the Tek Fog expose. Patil demanded that the Union government should take cognisance of the issue.<ref name="Satej Patil">{{cite news |title=Satej Patil questions govt's silence on Tek Fog expose |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/satej-patil-questions-govts-silence-on-tek-fog-expose-1069918.html |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=Deccan Herald |date=10 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
There were also multiple calls for the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] to intervene in this matter. Congress leaders requested the examination from the expert panel that was looking into the alleged [[Pegasus Project revelations in India|use of the Pegasus spyware on Indian citizens]].<ref name="Hindu 7 Jan">{{Cite news |date=7 January 2022 |title=Initiate parliamentary probe into Tek Fog app: Trinamool |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/initiate-parliamentary-probe-into-tek-fog-app-trinamool/article38179671.ece |archive-date=7 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107181051/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/initiate-parliamentary-probe-into-tek-fog-app-trinamool/article38179671.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Call for meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs===
The [[Ministry of Home Affairs Government of Maharashtra#List of ministers of state|Minister of State for Home]] in the [[Uddhav Thackeray ministry|Maharashtra government]], [[Satej Patil]] of the INC, questioned the silence of the Government of India and Information and Technology ministry over the Tek Fog expose.<ref name="Satej Patil">{{Cite news |date=10 January 2022 |title=Satej Patil questions govt's silence on Tek Fog expose |language=en |work=Deccan Herald |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/satej-patil-questions-govts-silence-on-tek-fog-expose-1069918.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111054307/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/satej-patil-questions-govts-silence-on-tek-fog-expose-1069918.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He made a public appeal to the victims from Mumbai targeted by Tek Fog app to register a police complaint.<ref name="MoS Patil asks Victims">{{Cite news |date=12 January 2022 |title=Maharashtra: MoS Patil asks Tek Fog victims to lodge police complaint |language=en |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-mos-patil-asks-tek-fog-victims-to-lodge-police-complaint-7718450/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111210726/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-mos-patil-asks-tek-fog-victims-to-lodge-police-complaint-7718450/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Rajya Sabha]] MP [[Derek O'Brien (politician)|Derek O'Brien]] (of the [[Trinamool Congress]]), a member of the [[Standing Committee on Home Affairs|Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs]] wrote to [[Anand Sharma]], the head of the committee, to discuss the secret app "Tek Fog" that "has serious ramifications and could jeopardise national security". He wrote, "This application is capable of penetrating encrypted messaging platforms and secure social media conversations, in order to heavily manipulate and exploit narratives on said platforms."<ref name="Derek O’Brien">{{cite news |title=‘Could Jeopardise National Security’: Derek O’Brien Wants Standing Committee To Discuss ‘Tek Fog’ |url=https://thewire.in/government/tmc-mp-derek-o-brien-standing-committe-home-affairs-tek-fog |access-date=6 January 2022 |work=The Wire |date=6 January 2022}}</ref> Chairman Sharma was reported to have taken note of the matter, and may be discussed in the next meeting of the Parliamentary Panel on Home Affairs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Parliamentary Panel on Home Affairs Likely to Discuss 'Tek Fog' Issue at Next Meeting |url=https://thewire.in/government/tek-fog-parliamentary-panel-home-affairs |work=The Wire |date=9 January 2022}}</ref>  


On 10 January, O'Brien wrote a second letter to convene a meeting to discuss Tek Fog. He wrote that the app provided an ability to hijack the WhatsApp accounts of citizens using spywares. The inactive contacts of the hijacked number would then be used to send mass messages. He wrote, "All of the hijacked number's contacts are synced to a database on cloud, ripe for picking as future targets of disinformation and harassment... It is also pointed out that this hacking technique was formerly used by the [[Pegasus (spyware)|Pegasus spyware]], before the [[NSO Group]] developed an even more sophisticated [[Zero-click attack|zero-click hijacking method]],". The application could send automated messages, spread misinformation, fake news and mislead citizens.<ref name="parliamentary panel meet">{{cite news |title=MP Derek O'Brien seeks parliamentary panel meet on 'Tek Fog' app |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/mp-derek-obrien-seeks-parliamentary-panel-meet-on-tek-fog-app/cid/1846965 |access-date=10 January 2022 |work=telegraphindia.com |date=10 January 2022}}</ref>
Anand Venkatnarayanan, an Indian internet security researcher, called the app a military-grade [[psychological operations]] weapon. He claimed that the capabilities that are part of Tek Fog had only been accessible to [[State action|state actors]], and that putting it in the hands of non-state actors affiliated to a political party "had never been done before".<ref name="Culpan bloomberg">{{Cite news |last1=Culpan |first1=Tim |last2=Mukherjee |first2=Andy |date=12 January 2022 |title=India's Tek Fog Shrouds an Escalating Political War |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-01-12/india-s-tek-fog-shrouds-an-escalating-political-war-against-modi-s-critics |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113001224/https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-01-12/india-s-tek-fog-shrouds-an-escalating-political-war-against-modi-s-critics |url-status=live }}</ref>


===Call for Supreme Court intervention===
=== Investigation by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs ===
[[Indian National Congress|Congress]] spokesperson [[Supriya Shrinate]] held a press conference on the issue where she "urged the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] to look into this and to punish, in no uncertain terms, the people who are behind this because no one should have the right or the freedom to erode India’s democracy". Congress wanted the Supreme Court to get the issue examined by the expert panel that was looking into the alleged [[Pegasus Project revelations in India|use of the Pegasus spyware on Indian citizens]].<ref name="Hindu 7 Jan">{{cite news |title=Initiate parliamentary probe into Tek Fog app: Trinamool |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/initiate-parliamentary-probe-into-tek-fog-app-trinamool/article38179671.ece |access-date=7 January 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=7 January 2022 |language=en-IN}}</ref> She said that the app "targets Indian citizens and hurts the very foundation of our democracy".<ref name="Tribune News 7 Jan">{{cite news |title=Congress accuses BJP of using ‘Tek Fog’ app to propagate its agenda on social media, seeks SC’s intervention |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/congress-accuses-bjp-of-using-tek-fog-app-to-propagate-its-agenda-on-social-media-seeks-scs-intervention-359136 |access-date=7 January 2022 |work=Tribuneindia News Service |date=7 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Congress leader [[Rahul Gandhi]] called the app, one of the several "factories of [[Hate speech|hate]]" set up by BJP.<ref>{{cite news |title=BJP has set up several factories of hate, Tek Fog app one of them: Rahul Gandhi |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/bjp-has-set-up-several-factories-of-hate-tek-fog-app-one-of-them-rahul-gandhi-1069196.html |agency=PTI |access-date=10 January 2022 |work=Deccan Herald |date=8 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
On 10 January 2022, O'Brien wrote a second letter to convene a meeting to discuss Tek Fog, pointing out that the alleged hacking technique was formerly used by the [[Pegasus (spyware)|Pegasus spyware]]. The application, as alleged by O'Brien, could send automated messages, spread misinformation, fake news and mislead citizens.<ref name="parliamentary panel meet">{{Cite news |date=10 January 2022 |title=MP Derek O'Brien seeks parliamentary panel meet on 'Tek Fog' app |work=The Telegraph |location=India |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/mp-derek-obrien-seeks-parliamentary-panel-meet-on-tek-fog-app/cid/1846965 |archive-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110113433/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/mp-derek-obrien-seeks-parliamentary-panel-meet-on-tek-fog-app/cid/1846965 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 12 January, Congress leader and [[Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha|leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha]] [[Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury]] also wrote to the [[Standing Committee on Home Affairs#Chairpersons|chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs]], [[Anand Sharma]], asking the committee discuss the "violative software application Tek Fog" in their next meeting.<ref name="Adhir Ranjan 12 Jan">{{Cite news |date=12 January 2022 |title=After Derek O'Brien, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Asks Standing Committee to Discuss 'Tek Fog' |work=The Wire |url=https://thewire.in/politics/after-derek-obrien-adhir-ranjan-chowdhury-asks-standing-committee-to-discuss-tek-fog |archive-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112085629/https://thewire.in/politics/after-derek-obrien-adhir-ranjan-chowdhury-asks-standing-committee-to-discuss-tek-fog |url-status=live }}</ref> On 12 January, ''The Hindu'' reported that Anand Sharma wrote to the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India]] seeking a response on questions surrounding Tek Fog.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 January 2022 |title=Parliamentary panel seeks response on Tek Fog app |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/parliamentary-panel-asks-home-secretary-to-respond-on-tek-fog-app/article38258217.ece |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113002044/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/parliamentary-panel-asks-home-secretary-to-respond-on-tek-fog-app/article38258217.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>


The [[Editors Guild of India]] cited the investigative report by ''The Wire'', and urged the Supreme Court to order an investigation into the allegations that the Tek Fog app was used to harass women journalists with abusive tweets. The report had alleged that influential people from the ruling party BJP may be involved.<ref name="Misogynistic abusive">{{cite news |title='Misogynistic, abusive': Editors' Guild demands SC probe into Tek Fog app |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/misogynistic-abusive-editors-guild-demands-sc-probe-tek-fog-app-159735 |access-date=11 January 2022 |work=The News Minute |date=11 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
The Parliamentary Standing Committee asked the Union Home Ministry to provide information about the Tek Fog app. On 12 February, responding to the request, the Minister of State for [[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology|Electronics and Information Technology]] Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated, "The ministry has searched for the app on all prominent app stores and APK stores and could not find so called app in any of these online stores."<ref name="TN 12 Feb">{{Cite news |date=12 February 2022 |title=Supreme Court global leader with 1.81L virtual hearings |language=en |work=Tribuneindia News Service |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/supreme-court-global-leader-with-1-81l-virtual-hearings-369085 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228154900/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/supreme-court-global-leader-with-1-81l-virtual-hearings-369085 |url-status=live }}</ref>


The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) issued a statement, asking an "urgent inquiry by the Supreme Court into the role of social media and tech companies in amplifying the crime of Hate Speech,". The alleged use of the Tek Fog app by the ruling-BJP, was condemned by the DUJ.<ref name="DUJ Statement" />
== Retraction and apology ==
On 23 October 2022, ''The Wire'' took down its Tek Fog story "for review" due to claims of misconduct in another investigation done by the same journalist.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=2022-10-19 |title=The Wire: India website removes Meta investigation after row |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63226111 |access-date=2022-10-24}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-23 |title=The Wire retracts Meta stories, Tek Fog investigation to be reviewed too |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/wire-retracts-meta-stories-tek-fog-investigation-be-reviewed-too-169165 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> On 27 October 2022, ''The Wire'' issued a formal apology to its readers for the publication of these stories.<ref name=":0" />


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Pegasus Project revelations in India]]
{{Portal|India|Journalism}}
* [[The Wire (India)]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==Further reading==
[[Category:Fake news in India]]
* {{cite news |title=Tek Fog: An App With BJP Footprints for Cyber Troops to Automate Hate, Manipulate Trends |url=https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/1.html |work=The Wire |date=6 January 2022}}
[[Category:Journalism controversies]]
* {{cite news |title=Explainer: Here's What the Tek Fog App Can Do, and Why You Should Care |url=https://thewire.in/tech/explainer-heres-what-the-tek-fog-app-can-do-and-why-you-should-care |date=7 January 2022 |work=The Wire}}
[[Category:Facebook criticisms and controversies]]
* {{cite news |title=Tek Fog: Morphing URLs to Make Real News Fake, 'Hijacking' WhatsApp to Drive BJP Propaganda |url=https://thewire.in/tekfog/en/2.html |work=The Wire |date=10 January 2022}}
[[Category:2022 in mass media]]
 
[[Category:2022 in Indian politics]]
==External links==
[[Category:History of the Bharatiya Janata Party]]
* [https://twitter.com/thewire_in/status/1479451120976084994 Tek Fog: Quick explainer] ''The Wire''
[[Category:2022 controversies]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZVSImx585A Prime Time With Ravish Kumar: Tek Fog App से सावधान! आपके बच्चों को दंगाई बना देगा] ''[[NDTV]]''
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party]]
[[Category:Cyberbullying]]
[[Category:Disinformation]]

Latest revision as of 23:41, 21 March 2026


Tek Fog is a non-existent application that was the center of a 2022 social media misinformation controversy wherein the news outlet The Wire accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the application "to manipulate social media," based on evidence that was later proven to be fabricated. It also claimed that BJP's Amit Malviya had powers to remove social media posts on command.[1]

The story went viral in India and drew reactions from opposition politicians, as well as international media houses.

One of the two authors of the report published in the news outlet The Wire for the non-existant app Tek Fog was Devesh Kumar.[2] After allegations emerged that Kumar had fabricated evidence in later news stories about Meta Platforms, Inc., The Wire fired Kumar, alleged that he had intended to discredit the outlet, and filed a police report.The Delhi Police registered a case against the news website following a complaint filed by Malviya.[3][4] The Wire issued a formal apology to its readers and took down the Meta and Tek Fog reports.[3][5]

Initial story[edit | edit source]

Alerted by a supposed disgruntled employee-turned-whistleblower, the Indian news publication The Wire reportedly conducted a two-year investigation and published its findings in January 2022.[6] This report claimed that the Tek Fog application was used "to artificially inflate the popularity of the Bharatiya Janata Party, harass its critics and manipulate public perceptions at scale across major social media platforms" and to "amplify right-wing propaganda".[7][8][9]

The Wire investigation also claimed that the BJP, along with the private companies Persistent Systems and Mohalla Tech (which operates a service called ShareChat), were involved in deploying the app. The members of BJP's youth wing, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), were said to have supervised the operators, giving them ideological directions.[7] The investigation also claimed that an unnamed internal source within Persistent Systems found 17,000 files connected to Tek Fog which were developed by Persistent Systems.[7]

In January 2022, Devang Dave, head of the BJYM IT Cell, denied that he or anyone from his organisation knew about such an app.[10] Persistent Systems and Mohalla Tech denied any involvement with each other or with Tek Fog.[11] The BJP youth wing functionary Devang Dave, who was claimed to have supervised the operation, denied the party's involvement.[6]

On 23 October 2022, The Wire removed its Tek Fog investigation from its website, "pending the outcome of an internal review". The Wire has accused one of the story's authors of "deception" in a separate series of articles on Meta.[12]

Claimed features[edit | edit source]

The Wire's report described the app as being capable of several actions.[13] These capabilities purportedly included being able to hijack the '"trending"' section of social media sites, Twitter and Facebook, bulk-hacking of inactive WhatsApp accounts,[14] among other functionalities.[15][16]

Other features supposedly included promoting favourable viewpoints through misinformation targeting users perceived to be BJP party opponents.[6][17] Tek Fog was also alleged to have managed a huge database of Indian citizens which included specific data regarding their occupation, religion, age, gender, etc., which was then used to deliver targeted insults and criticism.[17][10]

Alleged victims[edit | edit source]

The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) released a statement condemning the app stating that women journalists were "prime targets of the app" and noting that The Wire investigation listed several women journalists who received up to one million abusive tweets between January and May 2021, including Rana Ayyub, Barkha Dutt, Nidhi Razdan, Rohini Singh, Swati Chaturvedi, Sagarika Ghose, Manisha Pande, Faye D'Souza, Arfa Khanum Sherwani and Smita Prakash.[18]

On 9 January 2022, journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani released a list of prominent women from several religions including Hindus whom Sherwani alleged were targeted and harassed by hackers using Tek Fog.[19]

Reactions[edit | edit source]

The Editors Guild of India initially said The Wire investigation "laid bare an extensive and well funded network built around [the] app".[20] It condemned "the continuing online harassment of women journalists" and called for "urgent steps to break and dismantle this misogynistic and abusive digital eco-system".[21][22] The Guild later retracted its statements after The Wire removed the original articles,[23] citing concerns about accuracy and insufficient "journalistic norms and checks".[24]

Opposition parties denounced the app as a national security threat and demanded a probe. Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool Congress called for a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs to discuss the app and said it "has serious ramifications and could jeopardise national security."[25][26] The Indian National Congress (INC), in a tweet from its official Twitter handle, called Tek Fog, "a poisonous weapon of the BJP's propaganda machinery".[27][28] Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the app one of several "factories of hate" set up by the BJP.[29]

There were also multiple calls for the Supreme Court to intervene in this matter. Congress leaders requested the examination from the expert panel that was looking into the alleged use of the Pegasus spyware on Indian citizens.[30]

The Minister of State for Home in the Maharashtra government, Satej Patil of the INC, questioned the silence of the Government of India and Information and Technology ministry over the Tek Fog expose.[31] He made a public appeal to the victims from Mumbai targeted by Tek Fog app to register a police complaint.[32]

Anand Venkatnarayanan, an Indian internet security researcher, called the app a military-grade psychological operations weapon. He claimed that the capabilities that are part of Tek Fog had only been accessible to state actors, and that putting it in the hands of non-state actors affiliated to a political party "had never been done before".[6]

Investigation by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs[edit | edit source]

On 10 January 2022, O'Brien wrote a second letter to convene a meeting to discuss Tek Fog, pointing out that the alleged hacking technique was formerly used by the Pegasus spyware. The application, as alleged by O'Brien, could send automated messages, spread misinformation, fake news and mislead citizens.[26] On 12 January, Congress leader and leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also wrote to the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, Anand Sharma, asking the committee discuss the "violative software application Tek Fog" in their next meeting.[33] On 12 January, The Hindu reported that Anand Sharma wrote to the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India seeking a response on questions surrounding Tek Fog.[34]

The Parliamentary Standing Committee asked the Union Home Ministry to provide information about the Tek Fog app. On 12 February, responding to the request, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated, "The ministry has searched for the app on all prominent app stores and APK stores and could not find so called app in any of these online stores."[35]

Retraction and apology[edit | edit source]

On 23 October 2022, The Wire took down its Tek Fog story "for review" due to claims of misconduct in another investigation done by the same journalist.[4][2] On 27 October 2022, The Wire issued a formal apology to its readers for the publication of these stories.[5]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Staff, T. N. M. (23 October 2022). "The Wire retracts Meta stories, Tek Fog investigation to be reviewed too". The News Minute. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Wire retracts Meta stories, Tek Fog investigation to be reviewed too". The News Minute. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Scroll Staff (30 October 2022). "'The Wire' files police complaint against researcher Devesh Kumar over Meta articles". Scroll.in. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "The Wire: India website removes Meta investigation after row". BBC News. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Wire Editorial: To Our Readers, an Apology and a Promise". The Wire. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Culpan, Tim; Mukherjee, Andy (12 January 2022). "India's Tek Fog Shrouds an Escalating Political War". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 13 January 2022.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Kaul, Ayushman; Kumar, Devesh (6 January 2022). "Tek Fog: An App With BJP Footprints for Cyber Troops to Automate Hate, Manipulate Trends". The Wire. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "An App Called Tek Fog Helps Cyber Troops With Links to BJP Automate Hate Online, an Investigation Reveals". NewsClick. 6 January 2022. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022.
  9. ↑ Subramanian, Samanth (6 January 2022). "Right-wing Indians have their own app to manipulate Whatsapp and Twitter". Quartz. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "A cyber commission was Congress' secret weapon". The Washington Post. 7 January 2022. ProQuest 2617607410. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "Persistent confirms no involvement with Tek Fog, Mohalla Tech Pvt. Ltd and Sharechat". persistent.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  12. ↑ Roth, Emma (26 October 2022). "The Wire blames retracted Meta story on 'deception' by staff member". The Verge. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  13. ↑ Kaul, Ayushman; Kumar, Devesh (7 January 2022). "Explainer: Here's What the Tek Fog App Can Do, and Why You Should Care". The Wire. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022.
  14. ↑ "Tek Fog: Morphing URLs to Make Real News Fake, 'Hijacking' WhatsApp to Drive BJP Propaganda". The Wire. 10 January 2022. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022.
  15. ↑ Kaul, Ayushman; Kumar, Devesh (14 January 2022). "Tek Fog in Action: Targeting Women Journalists, Pushing Communal Narrative on COVID, Delhi Violence". The Wire. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022.
  16. ↑ Sanghera, Tish (15 January 2022). "Tek Fog: Indian government weaponises social media". FairPlanet. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Leloup, Damien (6 January 2022). "Tek Fog, un vaste système pour manipuler l'opinion sur les réseaux sociaux en Inde" [Tek Fog, a vast system to guide opinion on social networks in India]. Le Monde (in français). Archived from the original on 6 January 2022.
  18. ↑ "Delhi Union of Journalists Denounces Tek Fog, Demands SC Intervention". NewsClick. 11 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
  19. ↑ "India: 'Auction' of Muslim women on apps reveals widespread online abuse". Deutsche Welle. 10 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani then released on Sunday a list of prominent female voices from various faiths, including Hindus, who have been targeted and threatened by Tek Fog.
  20. ↑ "'Abusive Digital Ecosystem': EGI Demands SC To Take Cognisance of Tek Fog App". The Quint. 11 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
  21. ↑ "From Tek Fog to 'Bulli Bai', Editors Guild condemns 'online harassment of women journalists'". Newslaundry. 11 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
  22. ↑ "'Misogynistic, abusive': Editors' Guild demands SC probe into Tek Fog app". The News Minute. 11 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
  23. ↑ "Editors Guild retracts Tek Fog remarks after 'The Wire' takes down its articles". Scroll.in. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  24. ↑ "Post Wire apology, Editors Guild retracts statement on Tek Fog, urges due diligence in reporting". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  25. ↑ "'Could Jeopardise National Security': Derek O'Brien Wants Standing Committee To Discuss 'Tek Fog'". The Wire. 6 January 2022. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "MP Derek O'Brien seeks parliamentary panel meet on 'Tek Fog' app". The Telegraph. India. 10 January 2022. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022.
  27. ↑ "BJP conspiring to spread hatred in India: Rahul Gandhi". Kashmir Media Service. 10 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
  28. ↑ "Congress accuses BJP of using 'Tek Fog' app to propagate its agenda on social media, seeks SC's intervention". Tribuneindia News Service. 7 January 2022. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022.
  29. ↑ "BJP has set up several factories of hate, Tek Fog app one of them: Rahul Gandhi". Deccan Herald. Press Trust of India. 8 January 2022. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022.
  30. ↑ "Initiate parliamentary probe into Tek Fog app: Trinamool". The Hindu. 7 January 2022. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022.
  31. ↑ "Satej Patil questions govt's silence on Tek Fog expose". Deccan Herald. 10 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
  32. ↑ "Maharashtra: MoS Patil asks Tek Fog victims to lodge police complaint". The Indian Express. 12 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
  33. ↑ "After Derek O'Brien, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Asks Standing Committee to Discuss 'Tek Fog'". The Wire. 12 January 2022. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  34. ↑ "Parliamentary panel seeks response on Tek Fog app". The Hindu. 12 January 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 13 January 2022.
  35. ↑ "Supreme Court global leader with 1.81L virtual hearings". Tribuneindia News Service. 12 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022.
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