India
Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has conveyed to Chris Daniels that lately, fake news and messages circulated widely on WhatsApp led to riots and mob-lynching in many Indian states
Whatsapp CEO Chris Daniels met with Union Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in New Delhi on Tuesday. According to sources, Daniels will be in India for 4-5 days and meet business and government officials during his visit to address concerns around fake news.
Lately, fake news and messages circulated widely on WhatsApp led to horrific crimes like mob-lynching across many Indian states.
After meeting with Chris Daniels, Prasad said that it was a "productive meeting." He added, “I complimented him for extraordinary technological awakening that WhatsApp has led in the country, for education, healthcare, relief in Kerala. These are positive developments.”
I had a very productive meeting. I complimented him for extraordinary technological awakening that WhatsApp has led in the country, for education, healthcare, relief in Kerala. These are positive developments: Union IT Minister RS Prasad after meeting CEO Chris Daniels pic.twitter.com/PLZJhB33Zb
— ANI (@ANI)Earlier, the government had sent out two notices to WhatsApp to take urgent measures to curb false information and rumours being spread on the Facebook-owned platform.
WhatsApp has been at the centre of many controversies for allegedly being a platform being used to spread 'fake news'. The messaging app incited incidents of mob fury that led to the death of many innocents.
Prasad said, “There are also very sinister developments, that provokes crime like mob lynching, revenge porn, & you must find solutions to these challenges which are downright criminal violation of Indian laws."
There are also very sinister developments, that provokes crime like mob lynching, revenge porn, & you must find solutions to these challenges which are downright criminal violation of Indian laws. I suggested 3 points. 1- WhatsApp must have a grievance officer in India: RS Prasad pic.twitter.com/AGWdOEd3jZ
— ANI (@ANI)Prasad also suggested three measures to curb the growing menace. First, he demanded a WhatsApp grievance officer in India to overlook what’s the content shared.
Second, he asked Daniels to comply to Indian laws.
Prasad commented, “We won't appreciate a scenario where any problem will have to be answered in America.”
Third, he said, WhatsApp must have a proper corporate entity located in India as it has become an important component of India's digital storage.
2nd- you must have a proper compliance of Indian laws.We won't appreciate a scenario where any problem will have to be answered in America. 3rd- WhatsApp has become an important component of India's digital storage & must have a proper corporate entity located in India: RS Prasad pic.twitter.com/ILifiRJvaF
— ANI (@ANI)As a preventive measure, last month, Whatsapp had restricted the number of forwards at a time and asked its members to verify the news before sharing.
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