After CM's forged signature, WhatsApp traceability under IT Rules faces Tripura test

A screenshot of a fake resignation letter bearing the forged signature of a chief minister has triggered a legal battle in Tripura and prompted the state police to use a little-known provision of India’s information technology law to try and pierce social media giant WhatsApp’s encryption shield and force the behemoth to give up the origin of the viral message. In its petition in the high court, WhatsApp cited a May 26, 2021 press release by the Union IT ministry that said the “originator of information can only be traced in a scenario where other remedies have proven to be ineffective, making the same a last resort measure”. (Reuters) The controversial Rule 4(2) of the 2021 Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, which are under the IT Act, allows the identification of the “first originator” of a message if the request is backed by a judicial order in cases involving serious crimes like rape or threats to national security. Also read: Amended IT rules not meant to curb free speech, criticism: Centre to HC This provision — known colloquially as the traceability rule — was invoked by the Tripura Police in May this year when it
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