Facebook to Bombay HC: Tools for transparency in political ads will be in place by Feb 21

Social networking site Facebook on Monday told the Bombay High Court that it was voluntarily launching tools to enhance transparency in political advertising policies that will be in place from February 21, ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N M Jamdar were hearing a petition filed by Pune-based lawyer Sagar Suryavanshi, seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to restrain from any form of advertisements, videos or messages, 48 hours before the election.

The petition also demands regulation of the social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and internet giant Google, during the no-campaign period before voting begins.