WhatsApp used by LIS Professionals in India: Impact and Implications

Abstract

With introduction of Internet and various tools/applications on the web and mobile; how information is created, shared, communicated and consumed has changed. Along with these new changes; came new situations and challenges that need to be dealt with. Each social tool has Terms and Conditions (T&C) to become a member; giving rise to legal implications of using these apps and jurisdiction they fall, should a problem arise. These tools and technologies did not exist when Indian Penal Code (IPC) was written; and since it is difficult to make new rules; or make amendments to existing ones; the existing rules are interpreted to encompass today’s challenges. As new issues arise, there are new interpretations of existing legal rules. How WhatsApp, an instant messaging service is impacting the life of people using it and how Indian Librarians have adopted using WhatsApp for personal and professional updation is detailed in this article. Since information is the forte of Librarians; they are having additional responsibility of ensuring that they identify fake from real and authentic information from untruths that is floating around on various social tools especially WhatsApp and educate the general community of the same. This article aims to inform admins/users of LIS WhatsApp groups of legal implications of using WhatsApp tool.