Spam calls: Govt notice to WhatsApp; onus of user safety on platforms

New Delhi: The IT Ministry will send a notice to WhatsApp on the issue of spam calls from unknown international numbers, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday said, asserting that the onus of ensuring user safety lies with the digital platforms.

The digital platforms are responsible and accountable for ensuring the safety of 'digital nagriks', the minister said, adding that the government will respond to every instance of alleged misuse or alleged breach of users' privacy. The minister's comments assume significance as WhatsApp users in India have reported a massive surge in incoming international spam calls over the past few days.

Many users complained on Twitter that a major chunk of these spam calls had country codes belonging to Indonesia (+62), Vietnam (+84), Malaysia (+60), Kenya (+254) and Ethiopia (+251). Chandrasekhar on Tuesday said the ministry is taking note of the matter and will send a notice to WhatsApp on the issue. "The Ministry is taking note of it, they will send them a notice," he told reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI).

He also said that the government is mulling guidelines on what should be permissions for preloaded apps.

The minister made it clear that the platforms are responsible for ensuring the safety and trust of users. "I have said repeatedly that openness trust, safety and accountability are the responsibility of platforms who deliver to digital nagriks," the minister noted. If there is an issue of spam, it is certainly an issue WhatsApp should look at or any messenger platform should look at, he added. "Government will respond to every alleged misuse or alleged breach of privacy," he said.