BY Mustapha Lawal
Claim:
A viral audio message alleges that new communication rules in Nigeria allow the government to monitor and record all WhatsApp calls and chats, including voice recordings.
Verdict:
False. The Enugu State Police Command and other credible sources have debunked the claim as baseless.
Full Text:
A viral video recording (still image with background voice) is circulating on WhatsApp, claiming that new government rules now enable the Nigerian government to monitor and record all WhatsApp calls, messages, and voice recordings. The message is accompanied by a still image of the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, suggesting that he is the source of the information.
The audio further details purported indicators within WhatsApp’s interface, including claims that three red ticks signify government action against a user. The narration warns citizens to be cautious when using social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
According to the narration, private conversations across social media platforms will be surveilled, and a new “tick” system on WhatsApp will reveal the status of government monitoring on the platform. It also warns that users may face legal repercussions if they post content critical of the government, especially on political or religious topics, suggesting that users might even face arrest without a warrant.
Part of the audio read, “The new communication rules for WhatsApp and WhatsApp calls, that is, voice and WhatsApp calls, will be implemented from tomorrow. 1. All calls will be recorded. 2. All call recordings will be saved. 3. WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all social media will be monitored. 4. Your devices will connect to the ministry system. 5. Take care not to send a wrong message to anyone. 6. Tell your children, siblings, relatives, friends, and acquaintances that they should be careful of them and rarely run social sites.”
It added, “Important information about WhatsApp new rules to group members: Message sent, 1 tick; 2 tick, message read; 2 blue tick, the message read; 3 blue tick, the government took note of the message; 2 blue and 1 red tick, the government can take action against you; 1 blue and 2 red tick, the government is checking your information; 3 red tick, the government has started proceeding against you and you will get a court summons soon. Be a responsible citizen and share with your friends.
FactCheckAfrica decided to verify this message due to its potential to sow confusion and mistrust about privacy and digital surveillance in Nigeria.
Verification:
FactCheckAfrica found that the audio is rife with inconsistencies and clear signs of misinformation. The audio demonstrates a lack of technical understanding by referencing a non-existent “tick system” on WhatsApp and other Meta platforms. WhatsApp uses a simple tick system to denote message status — one grey tick means the message was sent, two grey ticks mean it was delivered, and two blue ticks mean it was read by the recipient. As of the time of this report, there is no “three-tick” system, nor any colour coding to signal government involvement in WhatsApp conversations.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is known for its end-to-end encryption, which ensures that only the sender and recipient can access the contents of messages and calls. Meta has consistently stated that not even the platform itself has access to user communications. This privacy policy contradicts the viral claim of government surveillance and recording of all calls on the platform. Meta would communicate changes to WhatsApp’s policies directly, not through unverified third-party sources.
The claim also misuses authority figures by using Commissioner Kanayo Uzuegbu’s image to lend false legitimacy to its claims. The police have confirmed that the claims are completely fabricated.
FactCheckAfrica found a debunking statement by the Enugu State Police Command. The Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, categorically dismissed the audio as false and misleading. He stated:
“The Command strongly condemns this audio, labelling it as misleading and malicious. The public is advised to disregard the audio, as it does not represent any official communication from the Command.”
The Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, denied any association with the claims and expressed concern over the misuse of his image to spread misinformation. The Commissioner has ordered an intelligence-led investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the audio.
Furthermore, the information in the audio lacks credibility as it is not supported by any stakeholder; the platform owner, any government agency or credible media outlet. The claim that the Nigerian government can monitor WhatsApp messages through new rules lacks credibility.
It is important to note that this is not the first time such rumours have surfaced. Similar messages about supposed government monitoring of WhatsApp communications have circulated in other countries, often causing unnecessary panic. This disinformation trend was debunked multiple times, including in India in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as in Nigeria in March 2024.
Conclusion:
The claim that new communication rules in Nigeria allow the government to monitor and record WhatsApp calls and chats is entirely false. Both the Enugu State Police Command and WhatsApp’s privacy policies have debunked the allegations. FactCheckAfrica advises the public to verify such claims from credible sources before sharing them.
