India, April 4 -- YouTube approved 48 ads in English, Hindi, and Telugu that intentionally spread misinformation about voting procedures as well as India's electoral process, a report based on a joint investigation by London and Washington DC-based NGO Global Witness, and digital civil rights focussed non-profit body Access Now has said.

Access Now and Global Witness withdrew the ads, which violated Google's policies on election misinformation, before publication to ensure that they did not run on YouTube.

"The Election Commission has disqualified the largest opposition parties from standing in the 2024 elections. Their votes will not be counted" and "Combatting ageism: new election rules to promote participation mean if you are over 50...