Fake news controversy: WhatsApp plans India team as govt cracks whip

The company is planning to strengthen its local presence by hiring a top executive, who will than build an India team

Facebook-owned messaging platform WhatsApp, which has received a series of warnings and notices from the government over the spread of fake news, has said  the company is planning to strengthen its local presence by hiring a top executive, who will then build an India team. The American company has been at the centre of controversy ever since mob killings and lynching incidents had flared up due to free flow of fake news on messaging platforms, especially WhatsApp.        

Replying to the IT Ministry’s second notice issued on July 19, the California-based company said it understands the government’s concern