Source: www.india.gov.in
The advent of technological
advancements in the modern-day world has been a blessing in disguise. With the
internet now being the key source of solution for all the problems, it has
transferred the present-day life over the virtual platform. Addicted to this
modern practice, people find answers to all their needs over the online medium
including information, communication, records, commercial transactions,
banking, grievances redressal and FIR reporting, etc.
Innovative
Communication
Increasing digitalization has
modified the system of communication. Integrating the people across the world,
separated by geographical barriers on a medium that eliminates the necessity of
physical presence, has been one of the greatest achievements of mankind.
Individuals are now connected with others through emails, chats, messages,
internet audio/ video calls, etc. transmitted through electronic impulses.
Unified
Interface of WhatsApp
While many online portals are available
catering to the major needs of communication of the people, on the most popular
web-based App in this domain is ‘WhatsApp’. The Facebook owned WhatsApp, not
only allows people to communicate with each other by sending/ receiving text
messages, internet-based audio/ video calls but also permits sharing of media
in the form of pictures, videos, documents all on a single App. The said App
can also be operated from desktops.
Challenges
before WhatsApp
The easy accessibility of internet
and WhatsApp has become a new device for the anti-social elements to carry out
the acts of cyber-terrorism through such modes spread with the intent to
threaten the unity, integrity, security or sovereignty of the country or to
strike terror in the people cause widespread fear. False and incorrect news or
information create a sense of distrust among the citizens of the nation. The
spread of rumours often leads to civil commotion and distress amongst the
citizens thus hampering the peace in the country.
Controlling
mechanism
The Government has ordered WhatsApp
to formulate stringent strategies to trace the origins of incendiary messages
in circulation using technological innovations when the social media giant
resisted to determine the message source on account being violative of its
privacy policy. However, as a measure to prevent sharing of rumours or
unadvisable information, WhatsApp has capped the number of recipients of chat
message to 5 to curb mass spamming.[1]
In furtherance to tackle the menace
of fake and inappropriate information through its media, WhatsApp has appointed
a grievance officer to address the concerns and complaints associated thereto.[2] It
enables the users to seek help through mobile App or by contacting the said
officer on email, signed with electronic signature or queries sent through
postal services.
The Government on October 31, 2018
conveyed to the management of WhatsApp that the messaging App was required to
trace the origin of the messages being transferred through its platform.[3] In
the said regards the Government clarified that it did not seek to decrypt the
messages but required WhatsApp to look into the location and identity of the
senders of messages causing provocation for which the App has agreed for. It was
stated that the measures are being taken to ensure that WhatsApp does not
become a source of circulation of improper and incorrect spam messages.
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