WhatsApp recently informed the Delhi High Court that it would cease operations in India if compelled to compromise its end-to-end encryption. The platform, owned by Meta, argued that breaking encryption violates users’ privacy rights under India’s Constitution.
Tejas Karia, representing WhatsApp, highlighted WhatsApp’s commitment to user security, with around 400 million active users in India. The app’s popularity hinges on its secure features, including end-to-end encryption for chats, calls, and videos, as well as the UPI payment feature.
The Indian government, citing the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, has requested access to encrypted messages for tracing purposes. However, WhatsApp contends that breaking encryption undermines user privacy and has resisted similar demands in other countries.
Meta’s platform is challenging the IT rules, asserting that maintaining encryption is crucial for user trust and security. The company hopes to avoid compromising its encryption policies, which have been fundamental to WhatsApp’s popularity and success.
