India Exploring Measures To Block WhatsApp, Facebook Access in Emergencies

In light of the recent brutal lynchings around the state, the Indian government had pinned all the arraign on social media and messaging apps. WhatsApp is at the eye of this ongoing controversy and has adopted a number of measures to curb the spread of false news and misleading info on its messaging platform.

The Indian government, however, is non satisfied with the service's initiatives, and is now planning to arm itself with the power to obstruct social media access in times of emergency or when public order is under threat.

As per a report in the Times of India, the country'due south department of telecom (DoT) is now seeking insight from manufacture experts into how they can go nigh blocking pop social media apps such equally Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and others. If you're thinking whether it is possible or not, well, Section 69A of the IT Act gives Indian government the power to,

"order that access to certain websites and computer resources) exist blocked in the interest of the defense of the country, its sovereignty and integrity, the security of the Country, friendly relations with foreign States, public social club or for preventing incitement to the commission of an offence."

MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and It) and law enforcement agencies have raised concerns around mob lynchings getting out of hand effectually the country. Thus, the DOT has at present issued a letter seeking views of telecom operators, the Net Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI), Cellular Operators Association of Bharat (COAI), and others associations on the measure they tin adopt to curb the same.

Speaking to the publication, an It Ministry building official stated that the government's concerns have not been addressed by WhatsApp fifty-fifty after repeated requests. They've added that the messaging giant hasn't pledged to 'traceability and attribution' of messages and it has been 1 of the primary demands of the Centre from twenty-four hours one.

Nevertheless, WhatsApp cannot brand good on the request as all messages exchanged on the platform are stop-to-cease encrypted (E2E) but it'south setting upwards a local squad in India to tackle the fake news apportionment, awarding researchers to assistance it solve the problems. So, do y'all recollect the government is correct in looking to cake access to social media in emergencies? Share your thoughts with us in the comments beneath.

Source: https://beebom.com/indian-govt-exploring-measures-to-block-whatsapp-facebook-access-in-emergencies/

Posted by: milletithappir.blogspot.com

Share this post