State plans to intercept your WhatsApp conversations

Law enforcement agencies highly frustrated

- By Mawande AmaShabalala and Ngwako Malatji

Private WhatsApp calls and voice notes could in the future be intercepted by the police and intelligence agencies in their fight against organised crime.

(Gallo Images)

The office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI) has asked the police minister to plead with the cabinet to change legislation to allow spooks to intercept your WhatsApp conversations.

This is because law enforcement agencies are frustrated that they are unable to snoop around WhatsApp chats, and are using crime prevention and combating as an excuse to legalise listening to private WhatsApp calls and voice notes, and reading your conversations without your knowledge and permission.

The disturbing titbits are contained in an explosive classified report compiled by suspended IGI boss Imtiaz Fazel and submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa, suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu, acting minister Firoz Cachalia, and parliament's joint standing committee on intelligence.

As things stand, intelligence services, including but not limited to the SAPS's Crime Intelligence (SAPS-CI), cannot access WhatsApp chats.

The report, which we have seen, argues that this is fertile ground and a massive loophole for criminals to exploit in plotting their criminal activities freely, away from the prying eyes of law enforcement agencies.