Government questions WhatsApp regarding security breach

NEW DELHI: The ministry of communications and IT had summoned officials of the social media group, after the alarming voices of the breach of mobile phones among the Indian citizens through WhatsApp. It was asked to explain why it had failed to disclose the spyware attack on the messaging platform.

As per sources, the ministry functionaries had pointed out to local representatives of Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, saying that their senior executives Will Cathcart and Nick Clegg, during their visits in July and September had not informed the Indian authorities of the Pegasus spyware attack on WhatsApp.

Facebook representatives have been quoted by the ministry functionaries, "You have invoked your concern about privacy to resist our demand to share with law enforcement agencies source of messages which are spread to create social strife and law & order problems. Yet, you did not deem it fit to inform us about the breach of privacy of Indian nationals."

By the 4th of November, WhatsApp has been asked to explain its position on the spyware-related security breach.

The government rebutted the allegation said a source, "The timing of the disclosure of WhatsApp raises troubling suspicions. The matter is pending in the Supreme Court, so for all you know, it could be a diversionary ploy to buttress the argument of the company. The timing of this (petition by WhatsApp in a US federal court) is full of suspicion... It is rearguard action by WhatsApp to prevent government measures to seek rules and traceability."

The entity which is owned by Facebook has argued that the messages were encrypted. But it has sought to check the spread of rumours by limiting the number of forwards to five.

This had not convinced the government and said seeking to the limit on the forwards, similar demands have been made by countries like Australia, the US and the UK, with Brazil and Mexico.