An analysis of more 8K+ messages by the Digital Witness Lab at Princeton finds messages advertising guns across 234 publicly accessible WhatsApp groups in India (Yashraj Sharma/Rest of World)

Yashraj Sharma’s analysis of over 8,000 messages by Princeton’s Digital Witness Lab reveals that WhatsApp has become a hub for illegal gun sales in India, with 234 public groups advertising firearms. The Meta-owned platform is found to be actively facilitating the thriving underground firearms marketplace, posing a significant challenge for law enforcement and regulation efforts. The study sheds light on the concerning trend of online platforms being exploited for illicit activities, particularly in the sale of weapons.

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