A viral message being circulated on the instant messaging platform WhatsApp claims that the Indian government is accessing users’ messages and calls.

The message has 19 points informing users about the “new WhatsApp rules that will be implemented from tomorrow.”

It states that WhatsApp is introducing 3 blue ticks. If two of them turn blue and one red, it means the government can take action against the user, while three red ticks mean that the government has started court proceedings against the user, the message states. 

The message also states that all the WhatsApp calls and messages are being recorded by the government and other social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, are also being monitored. 

The claims in the viral message are false, PIB confirmed on Thursday. 

“In a viral message, it is being claimed that the Indian government will now monitor social media and phone calls under the ‘new communication rules. This claim is fake.
No such rule has been implemented by the Government of India.
Do not forward any such fake/unclear information,” PIB tweeted.

A similar fake message had gone viral last year. It has re-emerged amidst the WhatsApp vs Indian government row over the Centre’s new IT rules, which the messaging platform thinks is a violation of privacy rights.