Sir,
Now a days a discussion is on its peak whether rumour mongers can be controlled after Internet ban in J&K. Main reason behind this is the closing of all those whatsapp groups on automotion basis which are not able to continue after ban on internet.
We all know that WhatsApp accounts belonging to Kashmiri users have already expired as the region completed 120 days of an internet blockade. The social media platform deletes accounts that have stayed inactive for that long. Several people also showed their concern on this issue when whatsapp accounts and several groups were closed due to company’s policy. But it is also a matter of fact whether company’s this step will help security agencies to curb rumour mongering menace in Jammu and Kashmir.
However WhatsApp is a facebook owned company and its spokesperson had already confirmed that the disappearances from WhatsApp groups were the result of the company’s policy on inactive accounts and when the users get internet connections back, they will need to register themselves with WhatsApp again, recreate their profiles, and ask the group administrators to be added back. But on the other hand, may be this process could help agencies to curb rumour mongers and it is now time for agencies to make a clear check on all those who may make new whatsapp groups.
If it is to be remembered, administration few months earlier issued advisory to all whatsapp admins to keep a vigil on their whatsapp groups and on active miscreants who may float rumours. Also it was advised to every whatsapp group admins to get in touch with their concerned Police stations regarding the type of contents shared in their groups.
Now when more than 1.5 million whatsapp account and groups deactivated in a single go due to internet blockage in Jammu and Kashmir then it is a golden chance for cyber cell and security agencies to make a check and vigil on each and every whatsapp user and group members. Also it is an asset for agencies that according to new guidelines of Whatsapp, account will be automatically deactivated of those who will forward more than 100 messages in just 15 seconds. So if check and control will be applied to whatsapp users at this course of time then a vigil can be done and rumour mongers can be controlled in a proper manner.
Sahil Aggarwal
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