We already know of the big changes WhatsApp is making to its privacy policy. We also know of the whole debacle it created in the past few months. However, just as it started cooling down it looks like it is now under the spotlight again. Now, the Indian government is not happy with this situation and the new privacy policy. After a series of threats of account deletion, features disabling and reassurances, the government is putting its foot down. The MeitY is again directing the Facebook-owned company to withdraw the planned update. In a letter to WhatsApp on Tuesday — MeitY has given seven days to offer a “satisfactory” response. Failure to do so, the ministry warned, will prompt lawful measures.
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“In fulfillment of its sovereign responsibility to protect the rights and interests of Indian citizens, the government of India will consider various options available to it under laws in India”.
MeitY
In addition, the IT ministry also says, “The changes to the privacy policy and the manner of introducing these changes including in FAQ (frequently asked questions) undermines the sacrosanct values of informational privacy, data security and user choice for Indian users and harms the rights and interests of Indian citizens”. This is not the first time WhatsApp is facing legal actions. Earlier this month, a petition was filed against WhatsApp in India on May 5th against its latest privacy policy. However, in response, the messaging platform points to many tech companies including Big Basket, Google, Koo, Microsoft, Ola, Truecaller, Zomato, and Zoom collect similar or more data.
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What is the issue with WhatsApp Privacy Policy?
To those out of the loop, the updated privacy terms grant WhatsApp the consent to share some personal information. Especially such as their phone number and location — with parent firm Facebook. They have clarified that communication between two individuals remains just as private as before.
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It has become such an issue because of un-uniformity for its privacy policy. For a clear idea, WhatsApp does not apply these policies to users based in the E.U, which has ironclad data protection and privacy laws. The IT ministry reiterated the “discriminatory” treatment meted out to Indian WhatsApp users compared to those in Europe.
Sushmita Choubey
Marketer to the core, a writer from the soul. Engineer and an MBA turned budding tech writer - dabbling her hands in all genres of writing from tech to fiction. If not writing, you will always find me reading anything and everything. Otherwise, you will find me learning new languages.