Facebook, Watts AP, Instagram that is blocked?
See what the DoD wants.
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The Communications Department sought industry views on technical measures that could be taken to prevent mobile phone applications such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. In situations where national security and public order are at risk.
On July 18, 2018, the Communications Department (DoT) wrote to all telecommunications operators, to the ISPsI Association and to the Association of Cellular Operators in Indian Industry,(COAI) and others and requested them to block these applications under Article 69A of the Information Technology Act.
"The Department of Transport in the letter said that the Ministry of Electronics, Computerization and law enforcement agencies proposed blocking some mobile applications such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Telecom and others, to comply with the requirements of Section 69A. The source said PTI.
Section 69A of the Information Technology Act speaks of the power to issue instructions to prevent public access to any information through any computer supplier.
The law authorizes the central government or any officer authorized by it to issue instructions to prevent information on the Internet in the interest of India's sovereignty and integrity, defense of India, state security, friendly relations with foreign countries or public order or the prevention of incitement to commit any related crime.
Recently, there have been widespread incidents of mob execution in the country on the basis of rumors spreading through social media applications. The application of the famous reporter, WhatsApp, was in the eye of the storm because of the misuse of its platform for trading false news that incited mob anger.
An official at the Ministry of Information Technology, who asked not to be named, said Watsab was not committed to "tracking" and attributing the message, which was one of the government's main demands.
Therefore, the Ministry's concerns have not been addressed and the potential for abuse continues to exist, the source said.
Last month, the government expressed dissatisfaction with measures previously identified by WhatsApp to verify false news that, in several cases, mob violence unleashed.
The Ministry of Information Technology, in its letter, has stated that WhatsApp can not escape responsibility for unbridled abuse of its platform and need to find creators of provocative messages.
In its second notice to Facebook's messaging service, the government warned that without adequate controls, it would treat the message platform as "instigating" rumors and legal consequences.
Wattsp told the government that it was building a local team, including the President of India, as part of the verification steps to handle false news.
The messaging platform also said that linking messages on WhatsApp would undermine the special nature of WhatsApp and creates the possibility of misuse. He added that the company's focus is to improve its program and work closely with others in the community to help keep people safe.