WhatsApp manipulates people to accept new policy: Center

New Delhi, Dt

The Center has filed a complaint against WhatsApp in the Delhi High Court. The Center, while filing an affidavit, told the Delhi High Court that WhatsApp was pressuring its users to seek approval for a new privacy policy as soon as the Personal Data Protection Bill came into force. The government alleges that WhatsApp is sending notifications to users several times a day to get their approval.

The Center told the court that WhatsApp was trying to get its approval by sending repeated notifications to its users. The government has asked the High Court to direct the messaging platform not to send notifications to its current users about the new privacy policy, calling it anti-consumer behavior. However, WhatsApp said on Thursday that it would not limit the functionality of users who did not accept the new privacy policy, but would continue to send them reminders about updates.

The central government made the claim in an affidavit filed in response to several petitions challenging WhatsApp's new privacy policy. Kendra said WhatsApp's new privacy policy violates privacy laws, as the policy also does not tell users what kind of sensitive information is being collected about them. The Center further said that the new policy does not even give users the option to review or modify the information. There is also no option to withdraw the permission given in this way. Furthermore, it is not guaranteed that user related information will not be shared with any third party.

WhatsApp's ploy is clear - it seeks to get the approval of all users on the advanced privacy policy of 2021 before the Personal Data Protection Bill becomes law. The central government demanded that WhatsApp be instructed to state how many notifications it has sent so far on a daily basis and how many people have been allowed to adopt its privacy policy. Kendra said WhatsApp currently has access to the personal, sensitive and commercial data of millions of Indian users. It has become an 'essential digital service' during the Corona epidemic and the privacy policy and its terms have been upheld by the Supreme Court. It should be seen that Puttaswamy's judgment adheres to the principles of privacy.