Govt. Will Create Law To Trace Fake, Provocative Whatsapp Messages; Wants ‘Unrestricted Access’ Of Online Shoppers Data

We are looking at two new developments from the Government – one is that the government is pondering over the idea of making amendments to the IT Act for finding out the origin of rogue messages sent on Whatsapp and any other social networking platform.

The second development, which has us quite in shock, is that the Government is reportedly demanding unrestricted access to all the non personal data of citizens. 

We wonder if the government has thought about its demands thoroughly, as this definitely has a lot of potential to kick up a storm of controversy and criticism against the government. 

Find out more details right here! 

Government To Make Changes To IT Act For Tracing Rogue Messages

The government is planning to modify the Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011 of the IT Act, 2000. 

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said, “The proposed amendments, inter alia, included Intermediaries to enable traceability of the originator of the information which is expected to curb circulation of rogue messages.” He was responding to a query in Lok Sabha.

In its report and draft bill, the Supreme Court said that it intends to classify data into three categories – personal data, sensitive personal data and critical personal data. 

The government has always been trying different ways to get WhatsApp to co-operate and let the former gain access to the messages and rumours that spread around on whatsapp. 

Government Demands Unrestricted Access To Non-Personal Data Of Online Shoppers

The Government is asking for unquestioned access to non personal data of citizens that belong ton a few specific categories.

If permitted, crucial information and non-personal data of citizens associated withentities such as e-commerce providers, social media firms and retail companies will be available for the government to access without any limitations.  

A top government source revealed, “The thought process of the government is that it should have access to all non-personal, aggregate and anonymised data at all times and on demand. The data doesn’t necessarily need to be stored with the government but it should be able to regulate how, when and where the data is being used.”

As per the Government, if they are given access to people’s data and communication with e-commerce giants such as Amazon and Flipkart, and even Google and Facebook, which the government has termed as ‘natural resource’, can be used for the good of people.

This information from such reputed companies can be used by startups to help boost their business and it will also help the government to enhance the working of public bodies.