WhatsApp group admins may face legal action over spread of false info


epa05287194 (FILE) A file picture dated 07 April 2016 shows the logo of the messaging application WhatsApp on a smartphone in Taipei, Taiwan. For the second time in six months, a Brazilian judge on 02 May 2016 ordered a temporary shutdown of the Facebook-owned WhatsApp messaging service. The ruling requires Brazilian mobile providers to block the service for 72 hours beginning at 1700 GMT on 02 May 2016. The order was issued in response to a motion from the Federal Police, who are seeking to force Facebook to comply with previous court orders requiring the company to reveal the content of texts sent via WhatsApp by the defendants in a drug trafficking case. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO *** Local Caption *** 52688299

Administrators of WhatsApp groups may face legal action if they fail to stop the spread of false information among members that may cause a threat to national security. Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari said provisions under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 can be considered as holding the admin accountable. Offences that fall under the Act include the spread of fake news, libel, fraud and exposure of classified information under the Official Secrets Act. “The admin can be called in to assist in investigation and whether or not action would be taken against the individual depends on facts and the statement given in each case,” he said. “The admin is responsible for the group members regardless whether the information (being spread) is fake or inaccurate, or aimed at libel. “If the admin is proven to be directly involved or had intentionally allowed the information to be shared, action would be taken against the individual,” the minister said.Jailani urged group admins to be more responsible and act as “gatekeepers” to keep fake news at bay.

> Child molester lures victim with money before kissing her

Get 30% off with our ads free Premium Plan!

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM9.73 only

Billed as RM9.73 for the 1st month then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month
RM8.63/month

Billed as RM103.60 for the 1st year then RM148 thereafters.

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In In Other Media

Snow eater bids sayonara to a happy holiday
Actor Amir Ahnaf ignoring criticism over 'soft porn' scene in TV series
Comedian Eric Tsang returns to HK after surgery to remove aneurysm
61-year-old Jacky Cheung wows the crowd with split on stage at Macau concert
Veteran HK actor Leung Ka-fai skips film promos for daughter's wedding
'TMI' as Barbie Hsu, South Korean hubby discuss married life on talk show
Drunk duo held in JB after profanity-laced rant at cops
Jackie Chan admits 'out of touch', can't understand fascination with mobile phones
Chilling times for farmers as heatwave persists
Jacky Cheung turned down millions to be reality TV singing coach, says 'not qualified'

Others Also Read