New Delhi sources stated that popular messaging app WhatsApp said Wednesday that there are instances of the platform being abused by political parties and it has been engaging with them to emphasize that the misuse will lead to banning of such accounts. WhatsApp Head of Communications Carl Woog told reporters told "We have seen a number of parties attempt to use WhatsApp in a way that was not intended and our firm message to them is using it in that way will result in bans of our service”.
Meanwhile he said "We are trying to be very clear going into elections that there is abuse of WhatsApp and we are very working very hard to identify and prevent it as soon as possible”. Furthermore with general elections slated to be held in the coming months, the government had warned social media platforms of strong action if any attempt was made to influence the country's electoral process through undesirable means.
Apparently WhatsApp, expressed concern on proposed amendment in Indian intermediary rules targeted at social media platforms. Woog said the company is creating space for private conversations online and proposed rules, if implemented, will require WhatsApp to re-architect the app leading to a different product "one that will not be fundamentally private”.
