Lawmakers urged to rethink rules on private messaging
Researchers say current regulations often overlook hybrid messaging platforms.
Policymakers are being urged to rethink the regulation of private messaging platforms as disinformation campaigns increasingly spread through closed digital networks. Researchers say messaging apps now play a major role in political communication and crisis information flows.
Evidence from elections and conflicts highlights the challenge. During Brazil’s 2024 municipal elections, manipulated political content spread widely through WhatsApp groups, while authorities in Ukraine reported Telegram being used for both emergency communication and disinformation.
Experts argue that current laws often fail to address messaging platforms, such as Telegram, because regulation typically targets public social media spaces. Analysts say modern messaging services combine private chats with broadcast channels and other features that allow content to reach large audiences.
Policy specialists propose regulating specific platform features rather than entire services. Governments and technology companies are also encouraged to protect encryption while expanding transparency tools, media literacy programmes and user safeguards.
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