The Supreme Court on Monday told social media giant Facebook and its messaging app, WhatsApp that it will have to intervene to protect people’s privacy in the wake of the latter’s new policy in this regard. Issuing a notice to the Centre, along with the two platforms, the court is now set examine the popular service’s fresh course on this front.
In January 2021, WhatsApp renewed its terms of service and privacy policy, which were to come into effect on 8 February. According to it, users must agree to its new data sharing norms, which includes business conversations, with Facebook. Since this is not optional, users have been left confused and concerned over privacy.
The observation came as senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing petitioner Karmanya Singh Sareen, sought direction to restrain WhatsApp from implementing its new privacy policy in India.
“They have come up with new differentiating privacy policy for the Europeans and different set of rules applicable to Indians,” Divan argued. He added that till the time new data protection law comes into force in India, WhatsApp should not bring its new privacy policy.
At this, Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde replied: “We will issue notice in the matter.”
A bench, headed by the
