<div> </div><div><em><strong>BW Online Bureau</strong></em></div><div> </div><div>After a backlash, the government on Tuesday (September 22) clarified that it will keep WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook out of the purview of a new draft encryption policy that seeks to control secured online communication.</div><div> </div><div>Secure banking transactions as well as password protected e-commerce businesses would also be kept out of the ambit of the proposed National Encryption Policy, it said.</div><div> </div><div>The government’s climbdown came following protests from users objecting to any stringent state controls on the way people use their emails, social media accounts and apps.</div><div> </div><div>Following the backlash, the government proposed an addendum to the draft document, saying: "By way of clarification, the following categories of encryption products are being exempted from the purview of the draft national encryption policy: The mass use encryption products, which are currently being used in web applications, social media sites, and social media applications such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter etc. SSL/TLSencryption products being used in Internet-banking and payment gateways as directed by the Reserve Bank of India. And the SSL/TLS encryption products being used for e-commerce and password based transactions."</div><div> </div><div>According to the original draft policy, users of apps such as WhatsApp and Snapchat would be required to save all messages for up to 90 days and be able to produce them if asked by authorities. The draft policy was posted online to seek suggestions from the public before it is finalised by the government.</div>
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