WhatsApp Rejects Indian Govt’s Plea to Soften Encryption

To curb fake news, WhatsApp has introduced features like limited number of forwards and a ‘forwarded’ label.

The challenge of dealing with fake news on WhatsApp lies in its encryption that doesn’t allow even the platform to access messages.

(Photo: Harsh Sahani/The Quint)

WhatsApp has rejected India's demand for a solution to track the origin of messages on its platform, saying building traceability would affect user privacy and undermine end-to-end encryption.

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 company continues to hold its stance that it cannot trace origin of messages because of end-to-end encryption.

When contacted, a WhatsApp spokesperson said, "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".

He added that people rely on WhatsApp for all kinds of "sensitive conversations", including with their doctors, banks and families.

Our focus remains working closer with others in India to educate people about misinformation and help keep people safe.

Spokesperson, WhatsApp

Over the past few months, WhatsApp has drawn flak over the issue in spreading fake news through its platform, that have 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.

Daniels had declined to comment on the proceedings after the meeting.

With general elections slated to be held next year in India, the government is taking a stern view of use of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp for spread of misinformation.

India is the largest market for WhatsApp with a base of over 200 million users of the over 1.5 billion global user base.

The Indian government has served two notices to WhatsApp seeking details of actions it has taken to curb the menace. In its response, WhatsApp had informed that it is building a local team, including having an India head, and has introduced new features to let its users identify forwarded messages.

WhatsApp has also restricted the number of forwards that can be done at a time.

Besides, the company is also running advocacy and education programmes to help people spot fake news.

Last month, WhatsApp top executives, including COO Matthew Idema, met IT Secretary and other Indian government officials to outline various steps being taken by the company on the issue.