NEW DELHI: A message that appeared to be fake started spinning on WhatsApp Thursday night creating panic among users as it claimed that India's new communication rules for WhatsApp messages and calls (both voice and video) come into force from Friday, with an advisory to the users to take care. It says not only WhatsApp but Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and all social media are to be monitored.
Inquiries with the government indicated it appeared to be fake. That impression further got reinforced after reading the bottom line of the message which said, "Be a responsible citizen and share with your friends."
The message says all calls will be recorded and call recordings will be saved. An advisory to the users says: "Your devices will connect to the ministry system and so take care not to send wrong messages to anyone. Also tell your children, siblings, relatives, friends and acquaintances on using social sites.
"Do not send any bad post or video against the government or the Prime Minister regarding politics or the current situation. It is currently a crime to write or send a bad message on any political or religious issue, doing so can lead to arrest without a warrant. The police will issue a notification, then you will be prosecuted by Cyber Crime, which is very serious."
"All your group members, moderators, please consider this issue and take care."
The message to the WhatsApp groups also says three blue ticks on the message means the govt took note of the message, two blue ticks and one red means the government can take action against you, one blue and two red ticks means the government is checking your information and three red ticks means the govt has started proceedings against you.