Why is WhatsApp against finding the originator of a message?

End-to-end encryption ensures that no one can read the message, except for the sender and the receiver. This includes WhatsApp itself.

• Nor does the app keep a log of who is sending what message and to whom.
• And given, it cannot read the contents of a message, finding the originator is even harder. Further many of the messages are just copied or forwarded by users.
• In order to trace messages, WhatsApp will have to add some sort of “permanent identity stamp” or effectively ‘fingerprint’ each message, which it says will be like a mass surveillance program.

What is the harm of ‘fingerprinting’ techniques?

WhatsApp’s argument is that traceability, even if enforced, is not fool-proof and could lead to human rights violations.

• Further, they will have to “turn over the names of people who shared something even if they did not create it, shared it out of concern, or sent it to check its accuracy.”
• It notes that “innocent people could get caught up in investigations, or even go to jail, for sharing content that later becomes problematic in the eyes of a government.”
• It also adds that such an approach will violate “recognised principles of free expression and human rights.”

Experts are clear that fingerprinting techniques are open to abuse, and in the end will undermine encryption entirely. Apps would have to remove encryption in order to implement such digital signatures on messages.

What is WhatsApp’s argument on why traceability won’t work?

• WhatsApp too states that tracing messages will be “ineffective and highly susceptible to abuse.”
• If you simply downloaded an image and shared it, took a screenshot and resent it, or sent an article on WhatsApp that someone emailed you, you would be determined to be the originator of that content.

Can WhatsApp help law enforcement without traceability?

WhatsApp says it has a dedicated team, which “reviews and responds to valid law enforcement requests.”

• It says it has always responded to “valid requests by providing the limited categories of information available to us, consistent with applicable law and policy.”
• It also notes that they have a “team devoted to assisting law enforcement 24/7 with emergencies involving imminent harm or risk of death or serious physical injury.”

Source:  Indian Express