Supreme Court Questions Meta, WhatsApp on Privacy Policy
The Supreme Court questioned Meta Platforms and WhatsApp over their privacy policy, expressing concern about how user data is collected and shared in India. The court said it would not allow any practice that undermines the right to privacy of Indian citizens, especially through policies that compel users to accept broad data-sharing terms.
Court Flags Consent and Data Use
During the hearing, the bench raised issues with the “take-it-or-leave-it” nature of WhatsApp’s policy, noting that users may not have a real choice if continued access to the service depends on accepting the terms. The judges observed that consent must be free, informed, and meaningful, and questioned whether users fully understand how their data is used for commercial purposes.
Next Steps in the Case
The court asked Meta and WhatsApp to respond to concerns around data protection and user autonomy and indicated that further directions could be issued. The matter is linked to earlier regulatory action over WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy and will be heard again after the companies submit their explanations. The government has also been asked to assist the court on broader data governance issues.
