- The Supreme Court expressed strong concern about Meta, which owns WhatsApp, because of its data protection methods. The court declared that all companies which conduct business in India must adhere to Indian legal regulations. The company Meta will lose its right to operate in India if it refuses to follow these regulations.
- The hearing involved the petition against WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy which resulted in these statements. Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant said that the court would not permit Indian user data to be used improperly or to be shared with unauthorized parties. He stated that users must comply with legal requirements before sharing even the smallest piece of their data.
The Government Vows to Protect Citizen Data From Unauthorized Access
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represents the central government, informed the court that WhatsApp transmits user data to Meta for commercial purposes. He described this practice as user exploitation.
- The Chief Justice responded to this by stating that Meta's policies present comprehension difficulties which affect both educationally qualified and uneducated users. He demonstrated that advertisements displayed on his device after his doctor sent a prescription through WhatsApp. He wanted to know how regular people, especially those who have low income and limited schooling, would comprehend the complicated nature of privacy laws.
Background of WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy
- WhatsApp introduced its latest privacy policy to the public in January 2021. The policy required users to permit their chat information with WhatsApp Business accounts to be shared with Facebook. The company initially stated that users who did not accept the policy could lose access to their accounts.
- This announcement led to widespread criticism and public concern. Many argued that the policy violated individual privacy rights. Following these objections, the central government intervened and directed WhatsApp to stop implementing the policy. The government stated that the policy was not in line with the provisions of the Information Technology Act.
- The Supreme Court made its observations while hearing a petition filed against this privacy policy. The matter remains under judicial consideration.
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