• Source:JND
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WhatsApp, a popular communication application used in India, is a medium for bad actors to spread fake news. Taking note of these concerns, PIB Fact Check, the fact-checking arm of the Press Information Bureau, regularly bust such bogus claims around the instant messaging platform. In the latest case, the account examined a message that said the government would monitor social media activity and cellular calls. Here's the reality:

According to a post on X (formerly called Twitter) from @PIBFactCheck the claim is fake, and the Indian government has not implemented any rules for the process. This is a fake WhatsApp forward circulating on the platform.

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A translated version of the X post reads: "A viral message on #WhatsApp claims that Indian government will monitor social media and phone calls under 'new communication rules'. This claim is fake. The government of India has not implemented any such rule. Don't share any such fake/ambiguous information."

What does the fake message say?

According to the fraud message, the new rules for the Meta-owned app and cellular calls will come into effect from tomorrow. The pointers claim that calls will be recorded and saved. Social accounts like Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp shall be monitored, the information noted.

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The message added the device will be linked to systems in the government ministry. A user is warned by the notice that they should not send wrong messages and not share videos and information concerning politics, the present government or the PM.

Among the strongest instructions in the guidelines is that sending political or religious messages on the app is a crime and may lead to arrest without a warrant. The process highlighted includes the issuance of notice by the police followed by action from the cyber cell. Lastly, the message urges group admins and members to share this message.

However, a reader must note that every detail in this message is fake, and they should not forward such messages. Further, they can sensitive people on this claim to raise awareness.