WhatsApp group admin not responsible for malicious content posted by members: HC

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday said that the admin of a WhatsApp group is not responsible for the malicious content posted by group members.

"The admin can only add or remove members from a group. Admins have no control over the posts the members post in the group. Admin cannot control or censor group-shared messages. Therefore, the admin will not be liable for any malicious content shared in the group," the court said. 

High Court Judge Kauser Edappagath pointed this out while dismissing a POCSO case against Manuel, a native of Cherthala, Alappuzha.

The petitioner was the admin of the WhatsApp group 'Friends'. Later, two people were added as group admins. One of them shared a pornography video of a minor in the group. Following this, the Ernakulam City Police registered a case against him for being the group admin. 

Later, he approached the high court to quash the case. The court also noted that the Bombay and Delhi High Courts have made it clear that the admin will not be held responsible for messages shared on WhatsApp groups.