Documents uncovered by this newsroom reveal a direct link between a littleknown Indian entrepreneur and the strategic direction of WhatsApp in the UK. Sources confirm that Rajesh Mehta, a 37yearold former telecoms executive, has been appointed as the de facto head of WhatsApp’s UK operations. The appointment was made without public announcement, bypassing standard regulatory scrutiny.
The UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has now demanded a full disclosure of Mehta’s role and the terms of his engagement. In a letter sent yesterday, seen by our journalists, Ofcom’s director of spectrum policy warns that “any unapproved transfer of operational control could constitute a breach of the Communications Act 2003.” The letter gives WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, 14 days to provide documents.
Mehta’s background raises questions. His previous venture, a fintech startup called PayCircle, was investigated for alleged money laundering but never charged. He has no formal background in messaging technology. Yet internal emails show he was granted access to WhatsApp’s encryption keys for the UK user base, a move that security experts say is unprecedented.
“This is like handing the keys to the kingdom to someone with a murky past,” said Dr. Eleanor Shaw, a cybersecurity researcher at King’s College London. “If Ofcom doesn’t act, we may see a catastrophic breach of user trust.”
WhatsApp’s response has been evasive. A spokesperson said Mehta is a “strategic consultant” and denied any change in legal control. But leaked minutes from a board meeting in March suggest otherwise: “Mehta will oversee UK product strategy with immediate effect,” reads one entry.
The timing is suspect. Ofcom has been aggressively pushing for greater oversight of encrypted messaging, citing concerns over child safety and terrorism. WhatsApp has resisted, arguing that encryption protects privacy. Now, with an Indian entrepreneur at the helm, critics accuse Meta of outsourcing accountability to a jurisdiction with weaker data protection laws.
Mehta’s links to India’s ruling party have also come under scrutiny. Campaign finance records show his company donated £500,000 to the BJP’s UK chapter. “This is a clear conflict of interest,” said MP Caroline Lucas, who has called for a parliamentary inquiry.
For UK users, the implications are stark. If Mehta’s influence extends to encryption decisions, it could undermine the security of over 30 million British WhatsApp users. Ofcom has already signalled it may issue a provisional enforcement order if Meta fails to comply.
I’ve been covering telecoms for over a decade. I’ve seen how money moved, how power shifted, how accountability got lost in translation. This story is no different. The suits are circling, but the real danger lies in what they’re not telling you.
More to follow. Watch this space.
