HC seeks Centre stand on plea claiming FB messenger, Whatsapp illegally providing internet telephony

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday sought response from the Centre, Facebook messenger and WhatsApp on a plea alleging that the two instant messaging platforms were illegally providing voice over internet services which is only permitted only under a telecom license. Justice Navin Chawla issued the notice to the Finance Ministry, Department of Telecommunications, Facebook and WhatsApp, and sought their stand on the petition by an internet service provider (ISP) which also alleged that the unregulated functioning of the two platforms was “a threat to national security” and also causes a loss to the exchequer.