WhatsApp needs no introduction as it is the largest messaging platform in the subcontinent. However, the platform has filed a petition against Rule 4(2) of the new Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code), 2021. WhatsApp has warned the court that it will exit India if asked to comply with the rule.
WhatsApp threatens to shut down operations in India if forced to break encryption | N18V | CNBC TV18
For the unaware, Rule 4(2) of this Act states that a significant social media app or website shall enable the Indian authorities to identify the first author of the information. Advocate Tejas Karia, appearing for WhatsApp said the company will strictly adhere to its privacy values and maintain end-to-end encryptions. And if asked to do anything else, WhatsApp would leave India.
"As a platform, we say if we are told to break the encryption, WhatsApp goes," Karia told Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Arora. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
On top of that, Karia said the rule would require WhatsApp to "store millions of messages for years". He added, "We have to keep a complete chain and we don't know which messages will be asked to be decrypted. That means millions of messages will have to be stored for a number of years".
