ETtech Explainer: WhatsApp’s standoff with Centre over end-to-end encryption

Last week, Meta-owned messaging app WhatsApp told the Delhi High Court that it would have to cease operations in India if it’s forced to break encryption for compliance with India’s Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021. These rules, which have traceability requirements to identify “first originator” of messages, were challenged in the court by WhatsApp in 2021 shortly after being notified.
What is end-to-end encryption?