The controversial Rule 4(2) of the 2021 Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code).
Rules, which are under the IT Act, allows the identification of the "first originator" of a message if the request is backed by a judicial order in cases involving serious crimes like rape or threats to national security.
This provision-known colloquially as the traceability rule - was invoked by the Tripura Police in May this year when it approached a local court for permission to track down the originator of a viral post with the forged signature of chief minister Manik Saha.
Experts said it was the first time that an Indian law enforcement agency used the provision against WhatsApp.
A local court in Agartala granted the request on May 27, setting off a confrontation with WhatsApp that has touted end continued on to-end encryption as one of its core offerings and told several Indian courts in the last few years that it cannot trace the origins of a message without dismantling its own protections.
After months of wrangling with the Tripura Police, WhatsApp finally approached the Tripura high court on September 22, asking it to set aside the traceability order. The high court granted a stay on September 26, but hearings will continue in December.
Requests sent to WhatsApp and Tripura Police did not receive responses till the time of going to print.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Govt likely to push banks to return unclaimed deposits to rightful owners
The government will nudge banks to begin a drive to trace unclaimed account holders or their legal heirs to return their deposits as the quantum of such funds has swelled to more than ₹78,000 crore, officials said.
Hrs after 'hellish' Russian attack, Biden allows Ukraine to hit back
Biden administration has lifted restrictions that had blocked Ukraine from using US-provided weapons to strike deep into Russian territory
Saudi executes 100+ foreigners in 2024
Saudi Arabia has executed more than 100 foreigners this year, according to an AFP tally indicating a sharp increase which one rights group said was unprecedented.
Make the wise choice: Xi urges Biden at APEC
China's leader Xi J inping met for the last time with US President Joe Biden on Saturday but was already looking ahead to President-elect Donald Trump and his \"America first\" policies, saying Beijing \"is ready to work with a new US administration\".
In Badal’s departure, opportunity for SAD
Sukhbir Singh Badal's resignation as the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is not surprising given his continuance at the helm of the party became difficult after the Akal Takht, the spiritual seat of the Sikh community, declared him a tankhaiya (someone guilty of religious misconduct). As a panthic party, SAD could not have let Badal continue as president after the move.
Snuffing out young lives
Jhansi hospital fire is a painful reminder of the callous approach of administrations to fire safety
In Sri Lanka, mandate for continuing change
If more emphasis was needed from the Sri Lankans to underline that they wanted change in the country, the results of the November 14 parliamentary elections provided it in ample measure.
Silence on portents Of a global conflict
Why are global leaders not speaking out against all the war-like activity across the world?
Baffling reluctance to talk about pollution, climate
November is halfway through, and you, just like me, might also be wondering: When will winter start in Delhi? The national capital is already grappling with severe fog.
IIS OFFICER PASSES AWAY AT 67 AFTER BRIEF ILLNESS
SM Khan, a distinguished senior Indian Information Service officer who was the press secretary to former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, died at a private hospital on Sunday after a brief illness, according to his family. He was 67. Khan is survived by his wife and three children.
