The Department of Information Technology is in advanced talks with the Rajasthan police on this matter
The Rajasthan government is planning to restrict instant messaging service apps, particularly WhatsApp, to prevent mass copying during entrance examinations.
The Department of Information Technology (DoIT) is in advanced talks with the Rajasthan police on this matter. The police are not in favour of complete Internet shutdowns, said sources.
"During a meeting, it was informally discussed among us and the DoIT officials to block WhatsApp during entrance exams. It has been seen that WhatsApp is being misused by gangs to leak information," said Pankaj Kumar Singh, additional director general (crime).
Akhil Arora, DoIT principal secretary, said, "We floated the suggestion to the chief secretary through senior police officers that we should go for selective restriction only of the sites that create problems. For example, offices restrict sites on their intranet so that their staff can't access them during work hours. China had even prohibited Google till sometime ago."
According to Software Freedom Law Centre, till August 2018, Rajasthan had already witnessed 26 Internet shutdowns imposed as preventive measures. However, the moves had also drawn criticism from several sections of the society. Citizens complained that businesses and services suffered tremendously during a blackout.
The DoIT and Rajasthan police feel that instant messengers like Whatsapp are used by cheating gangs in providing solved papers to candidates.
"We have observed that banning Internet-based services causes troubles for businesses and results in inconveniences for people in general. The public is dependent on things like catching a plane, Uber, Swiggy, Amazon, Flipkart or mobile banking among a host of other things. Banning Internet hurts these transactions," an official said.
Besides, a host of government services, including those related to health, insurance and e-mitra are provided online these days.
Sources said The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has already issued a circular on banning SMS, instant messaging sites when required. Rajasthan home department will write to service providers telling them to ban the services for a set period of time.
Rumours on WhatsApp have also triggered serious law and order issues, including mob violence not just in Rajasthan but across the country, said sources. The state might also temporarily ban the app to tackle riot-like situation, they said.
WhatsApp did not respond to a query sent by DNA.
APP TEST FOR AUTHORITIES
WHY WHATSAPP?
- Extremely popular, easy to send texts and pictures
- Of its 1.5 bn global users, WhatsApp has 200 mn users in India
- Since apps and websites are routed through the firewall of service providers, they can be selectively blocked
MUNNABHAI MANUAL
- Unscrupulous aspirants take snapshots of question paper, send them to gangs
- Images of test papers are leaked through groups
- Leaked papers solved by experts roped in for the purpose
- Solutions communicated to candidates who are equipped with wireless devices
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