You can now complain to DoT about stalkers on WhatsApp
What's the story
Anyone who has been a victim of stalking on WhatsApp will know that it is a very unpleasant experience. Further, there have been increasing numbers of reports wherein users, mostly young women, receive offensive and unpleasant messages from unknown stalkers on WhatsApp. Now, to ensure the safety of users, and improve privacy, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has started taking complaints. Here's more.
How to
How to complain against a WhatsApp stalker
To complain against stalking and offensive messages on WhatsApp, all you need to do is take a screenshot of the offensive message and mail it to ccaddn-dot@nic.in, along with the stalker's phone number. Once a complaint is lodged, the DoT will take the issue up with respective telecom operators and police departments to take action against the stalker(s).
Other details
The DoT gave the order on February 19
Notably, the decision was taken by the DoT after it received multiple complaints from several public figures, including female journalists, about receiving objectionable, offensive, and intimidating messages. Dated February 19, the DoT order clarified license conditions bar sending of any type of unauthorized messages on any network. Further, it asked telecom operators to take strict action against those who send such messages.
Twitter Post
READ: A tweet announcing the option to complain
If anyone is receiving abusive/offensive/death threats/ vulgar whatsapp messages ,please send screen shots of the message along with the mobile numbers at ccaddn-dot@nic.in
— Ashish Joshi (@acjoshi) February 22, 2019
We will take it up with the telecom operators and police heads for necessary action.
cc @Secretary_DoT
Journalists
Several journalists received abuses on WhatsApp after the Pulwama attack
Notably, in the wake of the Pulwama attack, several senior journalists, including the likes of Barkha Dutt, Ravish Kumar, Abhisar Sharma, and Swati Chaturvedi, had received a deluge of threats and abuses on WhatsApp. Dutt even took the unprecedented step of publicizing the numbers of those threatening her. Subsequently, the government had taken cognizance of the complaints, and had asked operators to take action.
Twitter Post
WhatsApp head of communications Carl Woog responds to Dutt's complaint
Hi there - sorry to hear this. Could you follow me back? Would like to chat help from @WhatsApp
— Carl Woog (@CarlWoog) February 18, 2019