WhatsApp has informed the Delhi High Court in India that they are unwilling to compromise their end-to-end encryption policy. If compelled to do so, they would consider exiting the Indian market.

Under WhatsApp's encryption policy, no one except the users can read messages or listen to calls—not even WhatsApp's own administrators. This is because messages and voice communications are encrypted outside of user visibility.

WhatsApp and its parent company Meta have challenged India's newly passed 'Information Technology Law for Social Media Companies'. A hearing on this petition was held last Thursday, 25 April.

This law grants the government the right to access social media user information.

WhatsApp argues that people use the platform because of its encryption benefits. Due to the requirements of the Indian law, breaking encryption would be necessary, otherwise, it would be impossible to trace users.

WhatsApp further told the court that on one hand, there is the right to privacy for individuals, and on the other hand, the government has a right to know, for instance in cases where a terrorist might send a message that needs to be traced. They questioned whether the rights of hundreds of millions of people should be compromised for one terrorist.

WhatsApp has requested the court to consider this matter and has also appealed for a review of the legality of this law. The court has scheduled the next hearing for 14 August.

Source: Hindustan Times