Over the past few months, WhatsApp has been getting into some trouble over its new privacy policy. The Indian government has previously asked Facebook to withdraw WhatsApp’s new policy and has now done so again.
The Indian Government Asks For the Withdrawal of WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy Again
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has instructed Facebook to withdraw WhatsApp’s new privacy policy for a second time. The Ministry wrote a letter to Facebook on May 18, urging the company to withdraw the new privacy policy.
In the letter which was given to TechCrunch, the Ministry explained that Facebook has seven days to offer a “satisfactory” response over WhatsApp’s new privacy policy in question. After that time (May 25), the Ministry warned Facebook it would take further lawful measures.
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology sends notice to #WhatsApp asking to withdraw its updated privacy policy.
Ministry says, updated privacy policy undermines values of informational privacy, data security. It asks WhatsApp to respond to notice by May 25. pic.twitter.com/SRktxbMnVP
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) May 19, 2021
The Ministry has expressed it believes the new WhatsApp privacy policy “undermines privacy, data security, and user choice” and “harms the rights and interests of Indian citizens”.
Another antitrust body within the Indian government began an investigation into WhatsApp’s new privacy policy back in March 2021, expressing concerns and asking Facebook to stop the new privacy policy. Even other countries have asked Facebook to stop WhatsApp’s new privacy policy.
WhatsApp has an estimated 450 million users in India, so the country is a key market for the platform. Due to this, Facebook may be more willing to act upon the Ministry’s latest letter, although the company hasn’t acted on any other country’s request.
What Is WhatsApp’s New Privacy Policy?
WhatsApp’s new privacy policy introduces some changes to data sharing with Facebook. The new privacy policy allows the platform to view your messages when communicating with businesses. This information gets shared with Facebook for marketing purposes.
The platform has stressed that the new privacy policy does not allow the platform to see your messages when communicating with other users, only businesses. However, this has not stopped people from worrying that all their messages will get snooped on.
Although WhatsApp is giving people a choice on whether they accept the new privacy policy, users’ accounts will eventually be deleted if they do not. This is not a direct consequence, rather one that will occur after 120 days of inactivity which is forced upon you when the app stops functioning.
What Will WhatsApp Do Next in India?
In previous statements in response to other governments’ criticism, WhatsApp has always maintained the stance it will continue to introduce the new privacy policy.
But, with a threat of further legal action hanging over WhatsApp regarding the new policy, it seems that the only solution for the platform is to comply with the Ministry’s request.
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