A viral message on WhatsApp is warning users not to forward or share any content relating the politics or religion.

The message warns that writing or forwarding ay political or religious content is an offence and that offenders can be arrested without warrant.

The message contains the following warning:

‘Don't forward any posts or videos etc., you receive regarding politics/present situation about Government/PM etc.

Police have put out a notification termed Cyber Crime and action will be taken...just delete …

Inform your friends & others too

Writing or forwarding any msg on any political & religious debate is an offence now....arrest without warrant...

This is very serious, plz let it be known to all our groups and individual members as group admin can b in deep trouble.

Please take note of this seriously.

From tomorrow onwards there are new communication regulations.

All calls are recorded

All phone call recordings saved

Whatsapp is monitored

Twitter is monitored

Facebook is monitored

All social media and forums are monitored

Inform those who do not know.

Your devices are connected to ministry systems.

Take care not to send unnecessary messages.

Inform everyone about this to take care.

Please share it; it's very much true.'

However, the monitoring described in the WhatsApp message is a breach of privacy between the service provider and the end user, and pundits claim the message is false, designed to generate fear in the minds of the users.

Furthermore, WhatsApp specifically states: 'Your messages should be in your hands. That's why WhatsApp doesn't store your messages on our servers once we deliver them, and end-to-end encryption means that WhatsApp and third parties can't read them anyway.' 

The origins of the WhatsApp message is unclear.