WhatsApp group:-The Zimbabwe government says that this step has been taken to stop the spread of misinformation and rumors on social media platforms, know more about it.
WhatsApp Groups:-The Zimbabwe government has recently implemented a new rule, under which WhatsApp group admins will now have to register their identity and it will be mandatory to obtain a license to run the group. This new rule has been announced by Tatenda Mwetera, Minister of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services. The government has taken this step with the aim of controlling the misinformation spreading on social media in the country and maintaining peace.
Under this rule, every WhatsApp group admin will have to obtain a license at an initial cost of $ 50. Due to this license, the government will be able to access the identity of the admins, so that in any situation, those who spread misinformation can be easily traced. Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa informed that this licensing process will not be limited to WhatsApp, but will also apply to religious institutions, business organizations and other social media platforms. According to the government, this step is in accordance with the Data Protection Act, which states that it is necessary to keep the information related to the identity of any person safe.
Purpose of the rule and the logic behind it
The government says that the purpose of this new rule is to prevent the rapid spread of misinformation on social media. Misinformation often spreads rapidly on social media platforms, which can create turmoil and misunderstanding in society. Group admins have the phone numbers of their members, which increases their responsibility.
Criticism and concerns
Although the government is calling this rule necessary for national security, many people consider it a violation of freedom of expression and privacy. During the registration process, admins will have to share their personal information, which may affect their privacy. Critics believe that through this rule, the government can try to control people’s conversations and discussions on social media.
Online communities
A big debate has erupted on social media regarding this rule. WhatsApp has recently launched features like ‘Search on Web’ to stop misinformation, but this rule of the Zimbabwean government is giving rise to a new debate in the online community. Many people are questioning whether the requirement of license will have an adverse effect on online conversations.
Thus, this new rule of the Zimbabwean government will not only increase the responsibility of group admins, but is also raising many questions about privacy and freedom of expression on this issue.
