New Delhi: Addressing concerns over the use of government logos in YouTube ads, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Monday said these were not endorsements but authorities have been asked to be “more careful” in campaigns by private platforms.
In an ad campaign by YouTube recently, published on the front page of some national dailies, the online video-hosting platform asks consumers to “trust only the real experts”, along with photographs and handles of individual influencers on its platforms. The advertisement also carried the logo for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Several prominent personalities had henceforth raised questions about the government ‘endorsing influencers’.
“Just to be very clear – this is not an endorsement of any person or any social media platform…@GoI_MeitY encourages all digital platforms to create awareness of Safe & Trust And Accountable #Internet and is supportive of all genuine campaigns/advocacy for this but that is not an endorsement.(sic),” Chandrasekhar said responding to a tweet on the issue.
“Given that these type of advocacy ads cud be misintrepreted, I hv advised more careful use of Govt logos in these campaigns by private platforms (sic),” his tweet added.
ThePrint has contacted YouTube for a comment. This report will be updated if and when it responds.
The issue of ‘fake’ social media influencers has emerged due to a sharp increase in the number of people duping followers by offering them financial advice that is not genuine but intended to increase their investments in particular stocks.
Also read: Coal is railways’ cash cow — why India’s climate goals pose risk for transporter