WHATSAPP SAYS IT WILL EXIT INDIA IF ASKED TO BREAK ENCRYPTION: STORY IN 5 POINTS

WhatsApp is known to be one of the most widely-used messaging platforms across the world. The Meta-owned company swears by its privacy features, and has often said that whatever its users' share stays between them and the receiver as the messages are protected by end-to-end encryption. "Whatever you share, it stays between you. That's because your personal messages are protected by end-to-end encryption. We will never weaken this security and we clearly label each chat so you know our commitment," the company noted on its FAQ page. However, Indian Government's Information Technology Rules 2021 might force WhatsApp to break end-to-end encryption. 

As per recent reports, WhatsApp told the High Court during a hearing that it would exit India if it had to break end-to-end encryption. Here is the full story, in five points: 

1. In February 2021, the government of India announced the new Information Technology Rules 2021, which included intermediary guidelines and a digital media ethics code.The government had put forward a firm stand to identify a message's originators. This meant that platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and others that use end-to-end encryption for messages would have to break it to comply with the government's new rule.

2. During a recent session at the Delhi High Court, WhatsApp, along with its parent company Meta (formerly Facebook Inc), was contesting the 2021 Information Technology (IT) rules. WhatsApp's legal representative expressed significant concerns, saying that the company might consider exiting the Indian market if compelled to compromise the encryption that protects users' messages. The platform's commitment to user privacy, underscored by its end-to-end encryption, forms the core of its user trust and appeal.

3. Representing WhatsApp, attorney Tejas Karia argued before a bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora. Karia said that forcing WhatsApp to decrypt messages would fundamentally alter the platform's privacy guarantees, potentially affecting millions of messages and user privacy. He highlighted the logistical and ethical challenges of such a requirement, noting that it would involve retaining and potentially decrypting vast volumes of private communications.

4. In response, the court acknowledged the complexity of balancing privacy rights with regulatory requirements, pointing out that privacy is not absolute, and that adjustments might be necessary. Additionally, Karia mentioned that no similar laws requiring message decryption exist elsewhere globally, not even in countries like Brazil, known for its stringent internet regulations.

5. As the discussion unfolded, the lawyer for the Indian government defended the rules, stressing their importance in situations where platforms might be used to spread objectionable content, such as during incidents of communal violence. The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 14.

2024-04-26T11:08:13Z dg43tfdfdgfd