WhatsApp admins be aware

New Delhi: With great power comes great responsibility. Until now, being the admin of a WhatsApp group meant having the power to admit or kick out members when needed. But times require you to be extra vigilant as Instant Messaging (IM) apps have been used as the means to spread objectionable content that give rise to tense situations. 

Section 153 A of the Indian Penal Code deals with anything that could promote enmity on grounds of religion, nationality, race, language and so on. Therefore circulation of posts of these matters in any WhatsApp group can mean jail time for the admins.

The cyber crime police now call out WhatsApp group admins to be extra careful. Admins must now inform others about not spreading material on IM apps that may be offensive to people or that might ignite hatred. Failure in introducing preventive measures like these can also land admins in trouble.  

Members causing trouble can be reported against Punishment under Section 153 A which includes fine and imprisonment ranging from three to five years. 

U Ram Mohan, SP, Cybercrime informed how cases relating to social media sites are difficult to go about because of the restrictions they have of their own. IM apps on the other hand are different. Since acquiring evidence is easier there, it is quite difficult for offenders to escape.

Additional Commissioner (Crimes & SIT) Swathi Lakra stated that people need to stop clicking pictures of people in public without their consent. Uploading such pictures on social media is a crime too. Members need to draft rules and regulations for the group to make sure that content which can get them into trouble isn’t disseminated at all in the first place.