False claims about WhatsApp’s blue and red ticks circulating online:How to check what’s real and what’s fake; follow these 7 safety tips

Imagine receiving a WhatsApp message saying the government is now monitoring your calls, reading your private messages, and can even take legal action based on what you send. Sounds alarming, right? But before you panic or forward the message to your contacts, there’s an important detail: the claim is fake. A message circulating on WhatsApp claims that the Indian government has introduced new rules to monitor conversations across WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Instagram. It also talks about new coloured ticks that supposedly tell users when the government is watching their messages. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check Unit has now clarified that the message is fake and that the government has not issued any such guidelines. Here’s what the viral message says, what the government actually said, and how you can protect yourself from similar scams. What has the government said about the viral message? The PIB Fact Check Unit has dismissed the viral WhatsApp message as fake. It clarified through its official social media account that the Government of India has not issued any guidelines claiming that WhatsApp calls and messages are being monitored in this manner. The government has also advised people not to blindly trust or forward such messages. If a message makes a serious claim about a new government rule, it is better to check official government websites or verified government social media accounts before believing it. What does the fake WhatsApp message claim? The message is designed to look like an official warning and lists several so-called rules that WhatsApp users are supposedly required to follow. Among other things, it claims that:

Let’s understand, with the help of infographics, whether red WhatsApp ticks are a sign of govt surveillance.
These claims are not genuine WhatsApp features. The red and three-blue-tick system described in the message does not indicate government surveillance or legal action.
Why are such messages dangerous? Fake messages like these often work by creating fear and urgency. When people see claims involving government action, arrests, or legal notices, they may panic and forward the message without checking whether it is genuine. This can help misinformation spread quickly across WhatsApp groups and personal chats. There is also another potential risk. Scammers could use such messages to share a link or an APK file, claiming that users need to install an updated or “government-approved” version of WhatsApp. Installing an APK from an unknown source can be dangerous. It could contain malware that may give attackers access to information or functions on your phone. Tips to follow if you receive such a message A WhatsApp message claiming that the Indian government has introduced new rules to monitor your calls and messages is fake. The supposed red ticks and other warning signs mentioned in the message are also not genuine WhatsApp features. The safest approach is simple: don’t panic, don’t forward unverified messages, and never install an unknown app or click a suspicious link.