New Delhi. The Zimbabwe government has implemented a new rule under which WhatsApp group administrators will now have to register their identity and it will be mandatory to obtain a license to run the group. This rule has been announced by Tatenda Mwetera, Minister of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services. The license cost will start at $50, which will be mandatory for admins.
The government says that the purpose of this new rule is to stop wrong information spreading on social media platforms and maintain peace in the country. The move is in line with Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act, which provides that any information that could reveal an individual’s identity must be protected as personal data. WhatsApp group administrators have access to the phone numbers of members, making them also covered under this law.
Efforts to stop misinformation
Giving information on this subject, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said that through this licensing process, sources of misinformation can be easily detected. He said that this rule will not be limited to WhatsApp only but will apply to all social media activities including religious institutions and business organizations under the broader rules of data protection.
Questions are being raised on violation of privacy
Although the government is calling it a necessary step in view of national security, critics are considering this rule as a violation of the right to freedom of expression and privacy. Under this rule, group administrators will have to share their personal information during registration, which may affect people’s privacy.
The rule is believed to be in line with WhatsApp’s recent steps to curb misinformation, such as the ‘Search on Web’ feature, but the licensing requirement has sparked debate in online communities. Many people are raising questions about the practicality of this step and its impact on online discussion.
Tags: Tech news hindi, Whatsapp, WhatsApp Account
FIRST PUBLISHED : November 9, 2024, 4:01 PM IST
