New WhatsApp privacy policy under lens; govt urges HC to restrain App from updating terms

Centre on Friday urged Delhi High Court to restrain Facebook-owned Whatsapp from implementing its new privacy policy and terms of service which are to take effect from May 15.  Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology me statement in its affidavit filed in response to a petition challenging new privacy policy of social networking platform WhatsApp. petitioners, Seema Singh, Meghan and Vikram Singh, have contended that new privacy policy indicates "fissures" in Indian data protection and privacy laws.

Under new policy, users can eir accept it or exit app, but y cannot opt not to share ir data with or Facebook-owned or third party apps.

Govt wants WhatsApp privacy policy blocked

Centre, in its affidavit, said, "It is humbly prayed that in view of above submissions, Respondent No. 2 (WhatsApp) may be restrained from implementing its new privacy policy and terms of service dated January 4, 2021 from February 8, 2021 or any subsequent date pending judication by this court."

Centre in its affidavit furr said that IT Rules impose a host of obligations on a company in relation to security of data collected by it in course of its business. "Notably, Rules require a body corporate who collects, stores or orwise deals with data to issue a privacy policy providing for certain safeguards, in dition to imposing various or obligations. impugned Privacy policy violates 2011 Rules," it said.

petitioners have sought directions to ministry and WhatsApp to ensure that people using messaging app are given option to opt-out of sharing ir personal data with its parent firm Facebook and its or companies. y have also sought a direction to ministry to frame guidelines, regulation or rules for safeguarding privacy of citizens from all apps and organisations operating in India which collect user data.

Centre has also sought a direction to WhatsApp to roll back its new policy or in alternative provide an option to users, including those who have alrey agreed to it, to opt-out of same. petitioners have also sought direction from government to formulate social media intermediary guidelines.