WhatsApp Admins can go to jail for 5 years for sharing corona disinformation in India. The cyber cell of State of Maharashtra warns the WhatsApp users in the country that they may be going jail for violating the rules. The group admins are asked that they should not share unverified reports or information on their WhatsApp groups. Interestingly, Indian celebrities such as Kareena Kapoor & Shahrukh Khan are also endorsing the decisions. 

The government in India advises people to change the group structures to Admin only. In these groups, only admin can post the information. This can ensure that no disinformation is passed on to the people. The disinformation has become a major challenge in fighting the corona virus globally. A number of steps include limiting of sharing stories and forwarding messages by WhatsApp.

What Should Admins do?

While the government rolls out the new rules, it may be difficult for WhatsApp admins to manage. However, there are ways to handle it. For instance, the admins can follow these principles to be on the safe side: 

• Ensure you know everyone in the group. It helps in letting people know that you’re at risk.
• Make rules and inform the members about them.
• Issue warnings to the group members who do not abide by the rules. Even take people out of groups, if needed.
• Be vigilant all the time. You should constantly review your content.
• If needed, change group setting to Admin Post Allowed only in your WhatsApp group.

While these rules may help the admins in ensuring correct information is shared. It will also allow actual and factual news for the general public which will stop any sensationalism or extremism to flourish. While there are critics, yet the move is appreciated by all segments.