Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging app icon. Photo: AFP/VNA MEITy’s new rules require major social media platforms like WhatsApp to “trace” the origin of specific messages sent on the messaging service. However, according to a WhatsApp spokesperson, asking messaging apps to trace chats is equivalent to asking WhatsApp to track every single message sent on the app. This would break end-to-end encryption and fundamentally compromise user privacy. The spokesperson stressed that along with civil society and experts around the world, WhatsApp has always opposed requests to violate user privacy, but the application is owned by this social network Facebook. We will also continue to work with the Government of India to find practical solutions to keep everyone safe, including responding to valid legal requests for the information WhatsApp makes available. Earlier, the press reported that social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Google and Twitter could face legal action in India if they do not comply with a new regulation by the government to strengthen control. control of intermediary platforms, effective May 26. Failure to comply with the above provisions will result in the social media networks being stripped of their intermediary platform status and immunity and will face criminal action under Indian law. The above regulations also require social media companies to appoint a resident grievance officer, regulatory compliance officer and basic contact person, as well as to disclose detailed information about the company. details of these people on their website, along with physical contact addresses. The regulation also requires traceability of the originator of the message and includes a provision for voluntary verification as a way to establish user identity.

The above proposal is one of several to address a shortcoming in the Voluntary Code of Practice on Misinformation released in 2018 and signed by Google, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, Mozilla and TikTok. this switch. Google and other big tech firms will have to commit to limiting ‘ad embedding’. The EC wants platforms to tighten eligibility requirements and content review processes for programs to monetize content and share advertising revenue on its service to prevent the participation of competitors. posting content that is systematically considered disinformation. In contrast, ad technology companies must define the criteria used to place ads and apply measures to verify ad placement. The EC also wants companies to clearly and specifically label advertisements (related to politics or other areas, etc.), and distinguish them as paid content. The newly updated code also provides for the first time key performance indicators to allow authorities to verify that these companies are living up to their commitments. The EC will publish the updated Code of Conduct on May 26.

Social network icons Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. Photo: Kyodo / VNA According to the Vietnam News Agency reporter in Germany, the Hamburg Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, where Facebook has a branch in Germany, has sent a ban to the social network that owns the popular messaging service WhatsApp. From the beginning of this year, when running the WhatsApp software, a window will automatically pop up. The first page states that WhatsApp is updating its terms of use and data protection regulations, in which the first statement: WhatsApp cannot read or listen to chats because they are encrypted, and second: WhatsApp are making adjustments to make it simpler to chat with businesses. Next, the second page said that WhatsApp is updating its terms of use and data protection regulations, which confirmed that WhatsApp does not change privacy in private chat, but added information on how to get it. chat with the business as desired and how the business can manage user chat sections. Especially at the bottom of page 2 there is only the “agree” button and the user cannot do otherwise. If you do not agree with the new update, starting May 15, using WhatsApp may experience problems, such as being unable to receive or send messages, even if the account is not deleted or disabled. In short, WhatsApp requires users to agree to their new policy in order to continue using the service after May 15, in which an update will allow more information from WhatsApp to be shared with Facebook. and other apps like Instagram and Messenger (such as contacts and profile data), except for encrypted chat content. According to a statement by the Hamburg’s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, the terms of the above agreement will be invalidated in Germany for three months, and the office will refer the case to the European Data Protection Authority, The independent EU agency enforces the rules across the bloc. According to Hamburg State Data Protection Commissioner Johannes Caspar, Facebook’s data protection breaches in the past as well as the September general elections in Germany indicate the risk of “mass building user profiles”. can be taken advantage of. He emphasized the ruling was intended to protect the rights and freedoms of millions of users across Germany. The official is concerned not only about privacy, but that records could be used to “influence voter choices and manipulate democratic decisions”. Currently in Germany there are about 60 million WhatsApp users, the most popular chat application currently in the country. However, in response to the ban, a WhatsApp spokesperson confirmed that the ban was issued without a legitimate basis and is based on a “basic misunderstanding” of the purpose and effect of the update. Therefore, a ban will not affect further rollout of the update.