IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar noticed the wrong card almost immediately. (File)
New Delhi:
Union IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar had a subtle warning for WhatsApp today when the messaging platform posted a graphic on its Twitter handle showing a fake map of India.
Highlighting India on the world map has excluded Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and some Indian territories claimed by China.
In a “request” to WhatsApp to correct this, the minister said in a quote tweet: “All platforms doing business in India and/or wanting to continue doing business in India must use correct maps.”
Screenshot of the minister’s tweet citing WhatsApp’s graphic with a fake card.
Mr Chandrasekhar tagged Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp alongside other platforms including Facebook and Instagram.
It was within hours of WhatsApp sending out the tweet – the release of its cross-site livestream for New Year’s Eve – when the minister noticed Meta and addressed it around 4pm.
WhatsApp’s original tweet had not yet been removed when this 5.30pm report was written.
Misrepresentation of Indian territory can lead to a police trial and the law also provides for a prison sentence.
India has also previously expressed dissatisfaction with companies and other bodies, even the World Health Organization, over the use of false maps, particularly those depicting Kashmir.
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