A notice has been issued to the Union government by the Delhi High Court on WhatsApp’s petition opposing the traceability clause mentioned in the Information Technology (Intermediary Liability and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, LiveLaw reported. The notice was issued after Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared on behalf of WhatsApp, objected to the Centre’s demand for an adjournment. In May this year, WhatsApp filed a lawsuit against the Indian government over the new IT Rules, 2021, arguing that the rules would compel the messaging platform to break encryption and infringe upon user privacy. WhatsApp moved the High Court a day after the May 25 deadline announced by the government for compliance with the rules. The IT Rules have come under tremendous scrutiny as they have a fundamental impact on how internet-based companies operate in India. They cast doubt on the sanctity of the right to privacy, speech, expression, press freedom, violations of human rights in some instances, and pave the way for a tightly-regulated internet. What happened in the hearing? The matter was heard by the division bench comprising Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh, according to LiveLaw. "On first date of hearing, other side came and said they want to seek some instructions. So notice was not issued. Today again they moved a letter seeking adjournment. At least issue notice, let them file a reply. It's a very serious question raised in relation to validity IT Rules 2021. We are not asking for an interim…
