[foolinaround]

there have been atleast 2 instances in the past few months where Indian govt agencies were able to release whatsapp messages of their opponents.

It is safe to say that if you are doing anything remotely of interest to the govt, you should not be using this tool.

[jace]

That happens by confiscating the phone. The US fifth amendment doesn't apply in India. Anything on a device isn't safe from a police search.

[foolinaround]

that is possible, but not what happened here.

the entities affected were powerful in their own right, just happened to be in the opposition to the central govt in one case, and in another, a top media personality in opposition to Mumbai's state govt/police machinery.