The government has reportedly once again directed WhatsApp to withdraw its new privacy policy, which came on effect from May 15, 2021.
The government has given seven days’ time to WhatsApp to respond to its notice. Further, the government has said that if no satisfactory response is received, necessary steps in consonance with law will be taken.
Though WhatsApp had earlier claimed that it had deferred its new privacy policy beyond May 15, 2021, the government has stated that deferral of the privacy policy does not absolve WhatsApp from respecting informational privacy, data security and user choice for Indian users.
The government’s letter has reiterated that WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy discriminates against Indian users vis-à-vis users in Europe and is a violation of several provisions of the existing Indian laws and rules.
