Three special messengers have posted a letter on behalf of the United Nations to the Government of India on June 11 which states that the new IT rules applicable in India do not comply with International Human Rights. It has been posted by Irene Khan, Clement Nalle To Value, who campaigns and defends freedom of speech, and Joseph Canatasi, a right to privacy activist.
They say that there is no moral value in this rule which is harmful to children. It is dangerous for the unity of India which has been brought to mislead and incite people. This rule has not been explained in a sufficient way, which is wrong.
India's new IT rules violate the International Civil and Political Rights Rules (ICCPR) under the Human Rights Convention. Article 19(3) of the ICCPR guarantees freedom to speak and express one's own views which stands for National Security and Public Order or Public Health and Ethics. It is being said that all these things are stopping with the new IT rule.
Special Messengers say that despite the Freedom of Speech Act, the company is monitoring the company and removing user-generated content rapidly. This takes away the freedom of speech. UN has expressed concern that a system to remove content is being developed in digital platforms. Those working between the users and the company can take the wrong advantage of this.
There is a dispute between the Government of India and WhatsApp over WhatsApp's encryption technology. Last month, WhatsApp opposed the IT rule. It was alleged that due to this the right to privacy of the users is at risk. The UN has been supporting encryption since its inception. They believe that it is an effective technical safeguard. This protects the right to privacy.
When messages of violence or harm to the unity of India go viral. It is used if a woman is being shown wrong or has to investigate a sexual issue related to children. So that who has spread the message and for what purpose it can be traced.
There is a situation of tension between WhatsApp and the Government of India regarding the rule of traceability. End-to-end encryption is designed for the privacy of the users. The government argues that if they get to read the messages of all the users, then they will easily find out the rumour spreader on social media.
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