Reply to pleas by FB, Whatsapp against IT rules: HC to Centre

The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the Centre to reply to pleas by Facebook and Whatsapp challenging the new IT rules for social media intermediaries requiring the messaging app to “trace” chats and make provisions to identify the first originator of information. The pleas have challenged the new rules on the grounds that they violate the right to privacy and are unconstitutional. A Bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice asking the Centre, through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, to file reply on the petition as well as the application for stay on the implementation of the Rules. The court listed the matter for further hearing on October 22. The counsel for the Centre said the main advocate was not available and sought an adjournment which was opposed by senior advocates Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Whatsapp and Facebook, respectively.