How a middle finger emoji got WhatsApp in problem.

Hey, there.!!

I m so happy you are here!!.

 

We all must agree that in today's time, emoji is playing a big role in expressing our feelings, and thought to others. You have probably used at least one this morning. You have seen one today. And you will be encountered with them in the foreseeable. The emoji culture has exploded into the global mainstream for half a decade.   

In 1999, NTT DOCOMO, a Japanese cell phone company, released a set of 176 emojis for mobile phones and pagers. Emoji is the blend of two Japanese words: picture and letter. (It's a mere coincidence that “emoji” sounds like it was derived from the English word “emotion").

In 2015, and for the first time, the Oxford dictionary deemed an emoji its “Word of the Year.” The “Face with Tears of Joy” (😂) emoji earned the title because it was the most frequently used emoji worldwide. In general, the dictionary noted, the word emoji saw a large increase in use that year.

Today, more than 3,000 emojis exist, including 117 new emojis that were introduced in 2020. Some of the newest arrivals include a toothbrush, green bell pepper, people hugging, bubble tea, a Transgender flag, a black cat, and more.

Whatsapp provides Middle finger emoji.

How an emoji can be someone's trouble??

Alright, without wasting any time come straight to the point.

In 2017, WhatsApp received a legal notice from a Delhi-based advocate, Gurmeet Singh. The lawyer has asked WhatsApp to remove the offensive middle finger emoji within 15 days from the messaging app, and he will file civil or criminal cases against the company if it is not removed. As the act is not only illegal but an obscene and lewd gesture which is an offense in India.

In the notice, the advocate said: "...showing off the middle finger is not only offensive but a highly belligerent, invasive, obscene, lewd gesture."

Gurmeet Singh had sent a legal notice to WhatsApp 

How an emoji violates the IPC??

"As per the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 354 and 509, it is an offense to show obscene, lewd, offensive gestures to females. Use of a lewd, offensive, obscene gesture by anyone is hereby illegal also as aforesaid. As per Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 showing the middle finger is also an offense in Ireland," he stated in his notice.

He also said in his notice that, "by offering to use middle finger emoji in your app, you  (WhatsApp Inc) are directly abetting the use of offensive, lewd, obscene gesture,"

What do you think about this??

(Note:- Next time use at your own risk.)