The Supreme Court will no longer use WhatsApp groups to share video conference links for court hearings, the top court registry said on Saturday.
In a circular, the registry said that instead of WhatsApp, the links for virtual court hearings in the top court will be shared on registered email ids and registered mobile numbers of the concerned advocates-on-record and party-in-person.
The step was taken in the wake of the newly notified Information Technology (Guidelines for intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021).
"It is notified for the information of the Advocates-on-Record /Party-in-Persons that the creation of groups in WhatsApp for sharing of VC links for hearing of their matters is restricted/barred due to new guidelines or regulations issued by government of India pertaining to social media Apps and OTT platforms, it said.
It said the VC links shall be shared "w.e.f. March 1, 2021 through registered email ids as well as by SMS on registered mobile numbers of the Ld. Advocates-on-Record / Party-in-Persons".
The government on Thursday announced sweeping regulations for social media firms like Facebook and Twitter as well as OTT players.
The guidelines also make it mandatory for platforms such as Twitter and WhatsApp to identify the originator of a message that authorities consider to be anti-national and against the security and sovereignty of the country.
"Even Ajmal Kasab Got Fair Trial": Supreme Court In Yasin Malik Case Telcos Can Claim Tax Credit For Duties Paid On Towers, Others: Supreme Court "During Pendency Of Divorce Petition, Wife Entitled To...": Supreme Court Russia Launches ICBM At Ukraine In Stern Message To Kyiv, Western Allies Meet 69-Year-Old St Stephen's Alumnus Who Posed As Ex IPS To Con Officials Ellen DeGeneres, Partner Portia de Rossi Leave US After Trump's Win: Report Maharashtra SSC, HSC Board Exams 2025 Schedule Released, Check Details Meet 69-Year-Old St Stephen's Alumnus Who Posed As Ex IPS To Con Officials India, Australia Sign Deal For Air-To-Air Refuelling Of Military Aircraft Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.