Mumbai police have adopted new methods to prevent students from repeatedly taking part in protests. Officers are making home visits to student activists and using WhatsApp location data to monitor their activities, according to a news report.
The move comes as authorities seek to curb participation in student-led demonstrations. By visiting students at their homes, police aim to discourage them from joining further protests. Additionally, law enforcement is tracking location information shared through WhatsApp to keep tabs on protesters' movements.
The measures have raised questions about privacy and the extent of police surveillance. WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is widely used in India for communication. However, the police actions are part of broader efforts to maintain public order.
Mumbai, India's financial hub, has seen student protests on various issues in recent months. The police are focusing on preventing repeat participation rather than first-time attendees. It remains unclear how many students have been visited or tracked.
Authorities have not commented on the legality of using WhatsApp location data for monitoring. Civil liberties advocates have expressed concern over potential overreach. The police maintain that their actions are within the law and aimed at preventing unrest.