On WhatsApp, Rumours, Lynchings, and the Indian Government

Abstract

There are two kinds of problems with rumour over WhatsApp: one is disinformation and the other is incitement to violence. Both are serious in their own ways, but for different reasons. In this essay, I explain why the rumours leading to the lynchings are more appropriately treated as incitement to violence. I also discuss what significance WhatsApp has in this context, and whether the changes made by WhatsApp in reaction to the public criticism and government pressure are likely to put a stop to the lynchings. Finally, I discuss the potential human rights consequences of WhatsApp’s willingness to co-operate with the Indian government.

Keywords: whatsapp, social media, hate speech, incitement to violence, fake news, india, freedom of expression, incitement to hatred, communal violence, surveillance, metadata, social media platforms, intermediary liability, data localisation, privacy