Are you a WhatsApp group admin? Court has this message for you
WhatsApp group admin can’t be held responsible for what members are posting in the group, Madras High Court has ordered. Here's everything about the case.
By:
HT TECH
Updated on:
Dec 29 2021, 13:17 IST
An admin of a group is the person who can add individuals, or remove them if needed, from the group. But if any of the group members posts offensive messages in the group, admins were considered liable for that. However, that has changed now in what will come as a big relief for group admins. (AFP)
1/4 An admin of a group is the person who can add individuals, or remove them if needed, from the group. But if any of the group members posts offensive messages in the group, admins were considered liable for that. However, that has changed now in what will come as a big relief for group admins. (AFP)
Madras High Court Justice GR Swaminathan has said 'No', group admins are not liable for inappropriate content shared by group members, while reiterating the Bombay High Court’s ruling in Kishore vs State Maharashtra, a previous similar case. (HT_PRINT)
2/4 Madras High Court Justice GR Swaminathan has said 'No', group admins are not liable for inappropriate content shared by group members, while reiterating the Bombay High Court’s ruling in Kishore vs State Maharashtra, a previous similar case. (HT_PRINT)
What Madras HC said? 'If a WhatsApp group admin did not play any role in the crime committed by group members other than being an admin, then admin should be taken off the list of suspects. However, if additional information is found that indicates that the admin was engaged in the crime, then the admin can be charged according to the law.' (MINT_PRINT)
3/4 What Madras HC said? 'If a WhatsApp group admin did not play any role in the crime committed by group members other than being an admin, then admin should be taken off the list of suspects. However, if additional information is found that indicates that the admin was engaged in the crime, then the admin can be charged according to the law.' (MINT_PRINT)
The Bombay HC further stated that the group admin had limited powers of adding and removing members of the group and could not be expected to know in advance what the group's members may post. In view of the this order, the admin of the WhatsApp group is only involved as a group admin, hence his name should be removed from the chargesheet. (Reuters)
4/4 The Bombay HC further stated that the group admin had limited powers of adding and removing members of the group and could not be expected to know in advance what the group's members may post. In view of the this order, the admin of the WhatsApp group is only involved as a group admin, hence his name should be removed from the chargesheet. (Reuters)
First Published Date: 29 Dec, 12:11 IST