Fact Check: Claim Of Implementation Of New Rules Of Communication And Monitoring Of Social Media, Phone Calls Is FAKE

New Delhi, Vishvas News – Many users across various social media platforms are sharing an infographic claiming that the government plans to implement new communication regulations, under which all calls and social media platforms will be subject to monitoring by the government. It has also been claimed that messages under consideration will be indicated by three blue ticks on WhatsApp, contrary to the usual double tick upon delivery.

The crux of the viral message suggests that the government intends to monitor phone calls and social media activities under the guise of “new communications rules.” Upon investigation, Vishvas News has determined that there are no forthcoming communication regulations nor any alterations to WhatsApp messaging. The Central Government has not implemented any such rule.

What’s Going Viral?

Social media user ‘law_is_supreme_official’ has shared the viral infographics which reads, “New communication rules for WhatsApp and phone calls will come into effect from tomorrow.” A user has requested to determine the truth by sending this post to Vishvas News tipline number +91 95992 99372.

Investigation

The initial claim made in the viral infographic suggests that the Central Government is about to implement “new rules of communication.” The term “government” refers specifically to the Central Government, given that communication falls within the purview of the Central List outlined in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution (Article 246).

During our search, we found no news reports indicating the implementation of any “new rules” of communication in the coming days. It’s worth noting that recently, the Parliament passed “The Telecommunications Bill, 2023.” This bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 18, 2023, and subsequently passed on December 20, 2023. The Rajya Sabha passed the bill on December 21, 2023.

Details regarding this bill and its provisions can be found on the website of PRS India.org.

The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, will replace the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. According to the stipulations of this bill, messages exchanged between two or more individuals will only be intercepted, monitored, or blocked under specific circumstances. These circumstances encompass matters of national security, diplomatic relations with other nations, maintenance of law and order, prevention of incitement to violence, and the potential suspension of telecommunications services under these grounds. This new bill retains the same interception provisions as those present in the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

Following its passage through both houses of Parliament, the bill has attained the status of law upon receiving presidential approval, and it will take effect upon official notification. Essentially, the provisions regarding monitoring, call recording, and blocking outlined in this new law mirror those of the preceding law it replaces.

It’s crucial to note that the government has also refuted this claim.

The viral infographic also mentions some provisions of the new rules regarding WhatsApp groups:

1. Message sent

2. Message received

3. Two blue ticks = read message

4. Three blue ticks = message noted by the government

5. Two blue and one red tick = Government may take action against you

6. One blue and two red ticks = Government can verify your information

7. Three red ticks = The government has initiated proceedings against you, and you will soon receive a court summons

In our investigation, we have determined that this claim is also baseless and false. According to information available on the WhatsApp website, there is no such feature as a triple tick. A single tick means that the message has been sent successfully, a double tick indicates delivery and a double blue tick signifies that the message has been read by the user to which it has been sent. Therefore, the claim made in the viral infographic regarding WhatsApp messaging is false and lacks a factual basis.

Furthermore, the claim of a triple tick during WhatsApp messaging also contradicts the facts. WhatsApp operates on end-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages are securely transmitted without intermediaries.

We reached out to Rajiv Kumar, a special correspondent covering the Ministry of Communications for Dainik Jagran, regarding the claim made in the viral message. He clarified that the claim of introducing such a rule is false. He stated, “Regarding surveillance, the provisions outlined in the recently passed Telecommunications Bill mirror those of the previous law, and there are specific justifications for their implementation.”

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first instance of such a message going viral on social media. Before this, a similar message circulated before the Supreme Court’s decision on the Ayodhya case, which we also investigated and debunked.

The user who shared the viral post containing false claims is followed by approximately 5 lakh people on Instagram.