WhatsApp apologises for airing an incorrect map of India

(Left side) The Union Minister for Information and Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar

New Delhi –  WhatsApp has apologised to India for airing an incorrect map of India and said it will take care next time. The Union Minister for Information and Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar had directed WhatsApp to rectify its mistake.

WhatsApp released a map of the world on the occasion of the New Year. In this map, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir was not shown as a part of India and a part of India was shown in China. Interestingly, Twitter also circulated an incorrect map of India last year. After this incident, a case was registered against Manish Maheshwari, General Manager of Twitter India, under Section 505 of the Information Technology Act.

Dear @WhatsApp – Rqst that u pls fix the India map error asap.

All platforms that do business in India and/or want to continue to do business in India , must use correct maps. @GoI_MeitY @metaindia https://t.co/aGnblNDctK

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) December 31, 2022

1. WhatsApp conducted a live broadcast on New Year’s Eve on Twitter to wish a Christian New Year on the 31^st of December. During this live session, an incorrect map of India was attached to its message.

2. Due to this mistake, Union Minister Rajiv Chandrasekhar said that any establishment which wants to do business in India will have to use the correct map of the country.

3. After Rajiv Chandrasekhar’s order, WhatsApp replied and said, “Thank you for pointing out our mistake. We have discontinued this broadcast. We apologise for this mistake and will take care in future.

4. Earlier, the CEO of ‘Zoom’ had also posted the wrong map of India on his Twitter account. He was also reprimanded by Union Minister Rajiv Chandrasekhar.

Editorial viewpoint

Just an apology from the concerned party will not suffice, this act should be registered as a crime and the guilty should be punished. Only then will it serve as a warning to other companies as well !