"WhatsApp Users Have Nothing To Fear," Assures IT Minister, Explains New Rules

The new IT rules require the social media companies to set up an India-based grievance redressal officer, compliance officer and nodal officer "so that millions of users of social media who have a grievance get a forum for its redressal", IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said WhatsApp users have nothing to fear about new social media rules, that are designed to prevent abuse and misuse of platforms, and offer users a robust forum for grievance redressal. Mr Prasad said that the government welcomes criticism including the right to ask questions. "The rules only empower the ordinary users of social media when they become victims of abuse and misuse," Mr Prasad posted on home-grown micro-blogging platform Koo, and also tweeted. "The government fully recognises and respects the right of privacy," he asserted.