RS panel suggests breaking encryption to curb child pornograhy distribution

The recommendations assume significance in view of the ongoing battle between the government and WhatsApp over encryption.

A Rajya Sabha panel has recommended that law enforcement agencies should be permitted to break end-to-end encryption to trace the distributior of child pornography on social media. 

The ad hoc committee of the Rajya Sabha formed to look into pornography on social media and its effect on children and society has also recommended that apps that help in monitoring children's access to pornographic content be made mandatory on all devices sold in India, and such apps or similar solutions be developed and made freely available to internet service providers (ISPs), schools and parents.

The 14-member committee, chaired by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh,