The Indian government has demanded Whatsapp, the Facebook-owned messaging application,
to digitally fingerprint messages that are sent on its platform without breaking the
encryption.
Aim:
The move is to ensure traceability of all
content shared through the WhatsApp platform, without reading the message. The
decision is in line with draft amendments to intermediary guidelines of theInformation Technology Act
released in December 2018, which requires all internet platforms to ensure traceability of the
origin of all content shared through them.
This step may proivde harm free speech on the internet and can increase government
control on private data. This will require the government to introduce
accountable measures at its end, to ensure data protection.
New
Architecture:
A digital fingerprint on messages means that
WhatsApp has to create a database of messages shared on its platform and store them
with a unique fingerprint. This will also call for WhatsApp to redesign its whole
architecture. WhatsApp has
maintained its stand of not being able to offer traceability on the existing
end-to-end encryption architecture.
Why the
move:
The government demands thus, after the
misinformation and rumours around child kidnappings on the
platform which
led to a spate of lynchings across India in 2018. This made the government to demand strictly
WhatsApp to introduce ways in which the origination of message can be traced in
an effective manner.
Majority
Indian users using WhatsApp:
AudienceNet, an UK-based social and consumer research
agency, reported that the majority of the respondents in India selected
WhatsApp as the preferred choice of social media network and a messaging
platform.
It also highlighted that about 78% of the respondents trust WhatsApp to keep their personal details
private and secure.
