Jio backs govt over tracing origin of messages, others cite privacy issues

Messaging platforms like WhatsApp, which rely on end-to-end encryption, have said tracing the origin of a message would mean breaking encryption and undermining user privacy

Backing the government effort to contain spread of fake news, Reliance Jio has said it supports tracing the origin of messages, even if it means breaking encryption. Responding to a consultation paper on the subject, the Mukesh Ambani-controlled telco has told the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) that the government must take all steps to prevent misuse of technologies and platforms to spread fake news. 

“Any proposal mandating the platform service providers to provide required information/assistance to law enforcement agencies is often protested on grounds of violation of speech and expression as provided in the Constitution… Such protests