WhatsApp Rejects Indian Government’s Demand for a Solution to Track the Origin of Fake Messages

WhatsApp has reportedly denied the Indian Government’s demand to track the origin of spam messages on the platform. WhatsApp said that the solution to track spam messages would undermine end-to-end encryption and affect privacy protection for users. However, WhatsApp has agreed to educate people in differentiating the spam messages. Emphasising that people use its platform for all kinds of “sensitive conversations”, the Facebook-owned company said the focus is on educating people about misinformation. The government has been pushing WhatsApp to find a technology solution to trace the origin of messages, a move it believes can help curb horrific crimes like mob-lynching emanating from fake news.

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“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”, a WhatsApp spokesperson told PTI.

Over the past few months, WhatsApp has drawn flak over its use in spreading the fake news through its platform that has even incited incidents of mob-lynching in various parts of the country.

WhatsApp Head Chris Daniels had met IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad earlier this week. After the meeting, Prasad told reporters that the government has asked WhatsApp to set up a local corporate entity and find a technology solution to trace the origin of fake messages circulated through its platform as well as appoint a grievance officer.

He acknowledged the role played by the Facebook-owned company in India’s digital story but was stern that WhatsApp could face abetment charges if it did not take action to tackle the issue of fake news being circulated on its platform.