Indian Government has decided to draft a new letter to the instant messaging giant, WhatsApp to develop a technological solution for tracing the origin of messages to curb spreading of fake news and controversial texts.
Previously, controversial materials floating on the Facebook-owned messaging application along with fake news have led to mob-lynching and violent activities in the country. To work against the spreading of phoney news and to avoid catalysing of violent events by WhatsApp, the company has put a limit on the number of group forwards to 5 from the previous 250. However, the ministry is of the opinion that these small steps aren’t of much use.
Previously, controversial materials floating on the Facebook-owned messaging application along with fake news have led to mob-lynching and violent activities in the country. To work against the spreading of phoney news and to avoid catalysing of violent events by WhatsApp, the company has put a limit on the number of group forwards to 5 from the previous 250. However, the ministry is of the opinion that these small steps aren’t of much use.
WhatsApp Unlikely to Budge on End to End Encryption
Explaining the ministry’s stance on the issue, he said that we are not demanding for something wrong since the government cannot allow anonymous publishing that leads to violence in the country. Additionally, he said that the ministry doesn’t intend to force WhatsApp on compromising its functionalities to accomplish the goal.
A few analysts are of the opinion that the government is right in seeking this feature from WhatsApp and that the company can provide message tracking using metadata without hurting its end to end encryption policy.
WhatsApp Agrees to Set up Indian Entity
Notably, last month, in a meeting between WhatsApp CEO Chris Daniels and Minister for Electronics and IT, the government urged the company to set up an Indian entity along with appointing an Indian grievance officer to ensure traceability of messages.
GoI Doesn’t Want to Hurt WhatsApp Privacy Policy: Official
In August, the company spokesperson said in reply to the Indian government’s demand, “Building traceability would undermine end-to-end encryption and the private nature of WhatsApp, creating the potential for serious misuse. WhatsApp will not weaken the privacy protections we provide.”
0 Comments