This paper sets out specific legal and institutional reforms based on global best practice to ensure transparency and accountability, and to protect voter rights in the digital age.
Political party apps in India increasingly harvest sensitive voter data without explicit consent, enabling highly personalized micro-targeting that undermines voter autonomy, privacy, and democratic fairness. These practices amplify societal polarisation and facilitate disinformation, particularly harming minority communities and trust in the electoral process. Existing regulations, such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), fall short of ensuring transparency and accountability. Drawing on international best practices, this paper recommends (1) legally mandated, informed consent for voter data collection, (2) independent, annual data audits of political parties, and (3) public awareness campaigns on digital political advertising. Additional measures include real-time ad transparency dashboards and stricter oversight of digital campaign expenditures. Implementing these reforms will safeguard voter privacy, enhance trust in elections, and strengthen India’s democracy.
