Political misinformation is a problem. But asking WhatsApp to risk user privacy is the wrong solution

Source: This post is based on the article “Political misinformation is a problem. But asking WhatsApp to risk user privacy is the wrong solution” published in “Indian Express” on 28th October 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Internal Security – Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security.

News: The article discusses the challenges of political misinformation, especially deep fakes. The central government wants to use Rule 4(2) of the 2021 IT Intermediary Guidelines to find the original sender of a message on platforms like WhatsApp which could compromise privacy and might not effectively address the issue.

What is Political Misinformation? 

Political misinformation means having wrong political beliefs but holding them confidently. Its features include:

Different from being ‘uninformed’: Misinformed individuals have wrong beliefs, while uninformed individuals lack knowledge on the topic.

Impact: When many people share the same wrong beliefs, it can influence public opinion.

Different from ‘rumors’: While rumors are statements that lack solid evidence and might occasionally turn out to be true, misinformation is unequivocally false.

Connection with Conspiracy theories: Some conspiracy theories can be seen as a subtype of political misinformation.

Continued Influence Effect (CIE): Political misinformation falls under the broader psychological phenomenon of the persistence of false beliefs even after they have been debunked.

What initiatives have been taken to curb misinformation in India? 

1) Laws and Regulations:

Indian Penal Code: Various sections (e.g., 153, 153A) address provocations, disharmony, and defamation.

Information Technology Act 2000: Section 66D pertains to fake news through fake accounts.

IT Rules 2021: Guidelines for regulating content on social media platforms and news portals. Platforms with over 50 lakh users face increased compliances.

Recent: The government plans to combat misinformation by using Rule 4(2) of the 2021 IT Intermediary Guidelines. This rule requires social media platforms to identify the original sender of a message (the source), especially on encrypted platforms like WhatsApp.

2) Regulatory Bodies:

Press Council of India: Addresses violations of journalistic ethics.

News Broadcasters Association (NBA) & Indian Broadcast Foundation (IBF): Handle complaints against electronic media content.

Broadcasting Content Complaint Council (BCCC): Manages complaints against objectionable TV content and fake news.

3) Private Initiatives:

Facebook: Partnerships with third-party fact-checkers and banning false accounts.

WhatsApp: Restrictions on bulk messaging and a fact-checking hotline for users to flag messages.

What are the concerns regarding the government’s plan to use Rule 4(2) of the 2021 IT Intermediary Guidelines? 

1) Privacy and Encryption: The rule can compromise user privacy by tracing every message’s origin. Platforms like WhatsApp use end-to-end encryption for user privacy. This rule challenges that security.

2) Vague and Misleading Definitions: “Public order” is open to interpretation, which might lead to misuse. The “first originator” isn’t clearly defined, risking innocent users being wrongly targeted.

3) Effectiveness and Misuse: Sophisticated users can spoof identities, evading the rule’s purpose. Tracking all messages affects everyone’s privacy, not just wrongdoers.

4) Legal and Real-world Implications: The real-world analogy suggests a significant impact on individual freedom, like tagging every citizen when they step out.

How can misinformation impact elections? 

Deep Fakes: Modern AI tools can create authentic-looking media of events that never occurred.

Targeting people through online platforms: Online services like WhatsApp, social media sites, YouTube, etc. mediate users’ relationship with online information, making them crucial in the spread or control of misinformation.

Risk to Democracy: Misleading users through fake media can significantly influence election outcomes and distort democratic processes.

Election Integrity: Misinformation challenges the core principle of informed voting, jeopardizing the very foundation of democratic elections.

Question for practice:

Critically examine the potential impact of Rule 4(2) of the 2021 IT Intermediary Guidelines on individual privacy and its effectiveness in addressing political misinformation.