Fact Check: Center not to implement new communication rules due to 2024 general elections
The Election Commission of India has declared the schedule for the 2024 general elections. After this, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been enforced nationwide.
Rules
The Election Commission of India has declared the schedule for the 2024 general elections. After this, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been enforced nationwide. With this, vigilant measures are being taken to prevent any infractions with the focus on monitoring the movement of cash, liquor, drugs, gifts, and any other items that can potentially influence voters.
Meanwhile, a long message is in circulation on WhatsApp claiming that new communication rules are going to be in place in India due to the upcoming elections. The message goes on to claim that all calls will be recorded and those recordings will be saved. All social media platforms will be monitored. All devices will be connected to the ministry's device and monitored.
The message also goes on to claim that when a WhatsApp user sends a message, a single tick would mean that the message has been sent; two ticks would mean that the message has been delivered; two blue ticks would mean that the message has been read; three blue ticks would imply that the government has taken a note of the message; two blue, and one red tick would mean that the government can take action against the user; one blue, and two red ticks would imply that the government is screening the user's data; and three red ticks would mean that the government has initiated action and the user will receive a summon from the court.
Here is the message that is in circulation on WhatsApp.
When translated claims:
New communication rules for WhatsApp and phone calls will be applicable from tomorrow in view of upcoming elections . *
01. All your calls will be recorded .
02. All call recordings will be saved .
03. Monitors WhatsApp , Facebook , Twitter and all social media .
04. Inform all who don't know .
05. Your devices will connect to the Ministry system .
06. Please be careful not to send wrong messages to anyone .
07. Tell your children , brothers , relatives , friends , acquaintances that you should be careful and use less social websites .
08. Your posts or videos on politics or current affairs on government or prime minister other officials ... etc . Do not send .
09. Currently it is a crime to write or send messages on any political or religious matter ... you can be arrested without a warrant .
10. First the police issue a notification ... cybercrime then they ... take action , which is very serious .
11. Please act in your group or groups where all you group members know your scope and cooperate in admissions .. Please consider this matter seriously .
12. Be careful not to send any wrong message and keep everyone informed .
13. Please share this ..groups need to be more vigilant .!
Important information about WhatsApp for group members ... as follows ..
Information on WhatsApp
01. = message sent .
02. = Message delivered ..
03. Two blue = Message read ..
04. Three blue = Government notes the message .
05. Two blue and one red = Govt can take action against you ..
06. One blue and two red = The government is checking your information
07. Teen lol = Government has started action against you and soon you will get court summons .. Be a responsible citizen and share this with your friends ..
*Team Work means no more of "WE"
The message is also shared by a few users on Twitter.
It was also shared by a website.
Fact Check:
The claim is false. The message in circulation is a hoax.
When Telugupost searched for the viral message, we found that the message has been online since the year 2020.
The Central government or the Election Commission have not issued any such orders. On the social media handles of government agencies, we did not find any authentic information relating to the message. The Facebook handle of PIB Fact Check shared a post in the year 2020 stating that the viral message is a hoax.
The PIB post states: “Beware of such hoax! Do not fall for such WhatsApp messages being circulated. No such thing is being done by the government. However, everyone is advised not to upload/circulate any false news/misinformation regarding Coronavirus and check your news from authentic sources only. "
India TV news also debunked the viral message and confirmed it as a hoax. The article states that As for WhatsApp's triple ticks, the company has a well-established guideline. A single tick indicates that the message has been sent, double ticks mean message delivery, and double blue ticks indicate that the message has been read by the recipient. There is no mention of triple ticks being introduced for call monitoring.
We can also read more about this hoax message in the Indian Express article.
Therefore, the viral message is a hoax. The claim is false. Neither the central government nor the Election Commission of India (ECI) have issued the new communication rules.