Given its status as the largest messaging network in the subcontinent, WhatsApp need no introduction. Rule 4(2) of the new Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 has been challenged by the platform, nonetheless. WhatsApp has informed the court that if it is required to follow the regulation, it would leave India.
For the uninitiated, this act's regulation 4(2) mandates that a prominent social media app or website let Indian authorities to pinpoint the information's original source. In her appearance on behalf of WhatsApp, advocate Tejas Karia said that the business would uphold end-to-end encryption and closely adhere to its privacy policies. And WhatsApp would leave India if asked to do otherwise.
"As a platform, we are saying, WhatsApp goes if we are told to break encryption," Mr. Karia said Justices Arora and Manmohan in lieu of Acting Chief Justice.
Furthermore, Mr. Karia said that WhatsApp would have to "store millions of messages for years" in order to comply with the legislation. "We will need to maintain the entire chain, and we are unsure of which messages will need to be decrypted," he said. This implies that millions of communications will need to be kept for a couple of years in storage.
It's possible that Mr. Karia was alluding to WhatsApp's lack of message storage. In theory, WhatsApp wouldn't need to keep the communications since it utilizes iCloud on iOS devices and Google Drive on Android devices. The legislation, according to the Indian government, would help stop the dissemination of false information.
By August 14, the Indian court will decide if the privacy of WhatsApp users is more important to the government than its informational needs. "Requiring messaging apps to 'trace' chats is the equivalent of asking us to keep a fingerprint of every single message sent on WhatsApp, which would break end-to-end encryption and fundamentally undermine people's right to privacy," said a statement made by WhatsApp previously.
What do you think about this? Which would you prefer: WhatsApp following its guidelines or monitoring each communication to stop false information from spreading? If WhatsApp were to leave India, what would happen? Tell us in the comments section below.