The government gave 7 days notice to WhatsApp to roll back new privacy policy
The government has taken a tough stand regarding the privacy policy of WhatsApp. The government said that it should be withdrawn. For this, seven days notice has been given to WhatsApp. The Ministry of Electronic and IT has given this notice. This second notice has been given by the Ministry.
In a letter sent to WhatsApp on 18 May, the Ministry has said that the new privacy policy of WhatsApp is going to end the privacy of Indian users and the right to data security. The letter said that crores of Indian users are mainly dependent on WhatsApp for communication. The company has given proof of being irresponsible by implementing the new WhatsApp policy.
The matter is still under consideration in the Delhi High Court regarding the new policy. The ministry has clearly stated that the new WhatsApp policy is going to break many Indian laws. The ministry has sought a reply from WhatsApp within seven days and has also said that if a satisfactory response is not received, drastic measures can be taken against WhatsApp.
WhatsApp’s answer in High Court
WhatsApp was heard on May 17 in the Delhi High Court. The court was petitioned regarding the new privacy policy. In which the government told the court that the new policy of WhatsApp is a violation of the Indian Information Technology (IT) Act. While WhatsApp says that apps like Ola, TrueCaller, Kuo app, Zomato and Arogya Setu also collect more data. The only difference is that we are taking data from the users by telling them.
Let us know that the social messenger platform WhatsApp has postponed the new privacy policy to be implemented in India from May 15. The company has not announced new dates for the implementation of the privacy policy. The company said that any account that does not accept the new policy will not be deleted.
What is the new policy of WhatsApp?
WhatsApp users who upload, submit, store, send or receive content, the company can use it anywhere. The company can also share that data. It was previously claimed that if the user does not ‘Agree’ this policy, then he will not be able to use his account. However, the company later described it as optional.
Sending reminders to users will continue
WhatsApp has said in the statement that it will continue to send reminders to users regarding new privacy policy. This process will continue for the next few weeks. Earlier, this new privacy policy was to come into force from 8 February. But it was postponed to May 15 after the controversy escalated.
Central government has expressed objection
The central government has expressed reservations over the new privacy policy of WhatsApp. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has written a strong letter to WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart, stating that WhatsApp has the largest user base in India globally. Also, India is the largest market for WhatsApp services. The proposed change in WhatsApp’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy has raised serious concerns about the choice and autonomy of Indian citizens. The ministry has asked for the withdrawal of the changes made in the policy.
Delhi High Court sought reply till 13 May
The Delhi High Court has also sought a response from Facebook and WhatsApp along with the central government on public interest litigation against WhatsApp’s new privacy policy. Facebook is the parent company of WhatsApp. A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh is hearing it. The court has asked them to present their case on the petition till May 13.
A parliamentary committee has also summoned
A Parliamentary Committee has also summoned the officials of Facebook and WhatsApp in January this year regarding the new privacy policy. Facebook officials assured the parliamentary committee that the personal data of its subsidiary WhatsApp would not be shared. This includes conversations and messages between individuals. The social media company said that the exchange of messages between users on WhatsApp is completely encrypted.
Can keep chat history on mobile
If users do not want to accept the new privacy, then they can keep their chat history in the phone. Once the account is deleted, users will be removed from all groups. He will not be able to delete the message from the message history. Their WhatsApp backup data will also be deleted.
