WhatsApp threatening to withdraw its services in India

In a surprising turn of events nearly four years after its controversial policy changes in India, WhatsApp has returned to scrutiny, this time with a bold ultimatum.

The messaging giant, along with its parent company Meta, has dropped the bombshell statement, saying it will suspend its services in India if pushed to compromise its end-to-end encryption and disclose user data to the government.

The showdown unfolded in the Delhi High Court, where WhatsApp and Meta filed a plea challenging India's 2021 IT rules before social media adjudicators, particularly contesting the requirement to identify the source of information.

Tejas Karia, representing WhatsApp, minced no words, confirming, "If we are told to break encryption, then WhatsApp exits."

But what caused this clash between tech behemoths and the Indian government? And why is WhatsApp ready to go to such lengths? Let's delve into the details.

In 2021, the Indian government rolled out new guidelines for social media platforms, mandating the appointment of compliance officers and publication of monthly compliance reports.

However, a contentious provision demanded the identification of the "first originator" of messages, sparking concerns about user privacy.

These regulations have since faced legal challenges, prompting amendments.

WhatsApp stands by its staunch commitment to end-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages and media remain confidential between sender and recipient.

Breaking this encryption, the company argues, would violate users' fundamental right to privacy. It is now seeking judicial intervention, challenging the Intermediary Rules as unconstitutional.

Government standpoint

Amid the rampant spread of misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic, the government emphasizes tracking the origin of information to combat fake news and hate speech.

Access to this data would enable authorities to swiftly address harmful content circulating on social media platforms.