Algorithm of Fear: Social Media's Horror & Black Magic Misinformation Sparks Brand Safety Crisis

• Fear-driven content, including 'real ghost' videos and black magic 'exposure' reels, is gaining millions of views on Indian social media platforms.
• Creators are blending horror tropes with unverified claims, using dramatic thumbnails and AI-generated visuals to optimize discovery and engagement.
• The spike is driven by low production costs, high engagement, algorithmic amplification, and AI-generated synthetic content, blurring lines between fiction and deception.
• A recent controversy involving fininfluencer Abhishek Kar's claims about tantric practices in Mayong led to an FIR and arrest, highlighting legal risks of sensational claims.
• Brands are increasingly concerned about misinformation, with experts emphasizing the need for proactive governance, contextual relevance, and trust-led engagement over algorithmic virality.