Breaking News- IT department directs WhatsApp to withdraw a new privacy policy: Government sources

Breaking News- IT department directs WhatsApp to withdraw a new privacy policy: Government sources

NEW DELHI: The Department of Technology and Information Technology has ordered WhatsApp to withdraw its new privacy policy, according to sources.

 

The IT department believes that the change in WhatsApp's privacy policy and the way in which these changes are implemented undermines the sacred principles of information privacy, data security and user preferences and undermines the rights and interests of Indian citizens, government sources said. The government has given WhatsApp seven days to respond to the notice and if a satisfactory response is not forthcoming, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law, sources said.

In a WhatsApp communication on May 18, the department also told the messaging forum to withdraw its 2021 privacy policy, they said.

The Department, in its communications, has drawn attention to WhatsApp on how its new privacy policy violates several provisions of existing laws and regulations in India.

To fulfill its royal duty to protect the rights and interests of Indian citizens, the government will consider the various options available to it under Indian law, sources said.

The department has also strongly taken the issue of WhatsApp's 'discriminatory treatment' to Indian users targeting European users. It says: "As you know, undoubtedly, many Indian citizens rely on WhatsApp to communicate in daily life.

It is worth mentioning here that WhatsApp has suffered a major setback due to user concerns that the data was shared with its parent company, Facebook.

Sources noted that WhatsApp had previously claimed to have officially revoked its new privacy policy beyond May 15, 2021.

However, the department in its communication confirmed that the postponement of the privacy policy beyond May 15, does not open WhatsApp in respect of information privacy values, data security and user preferences for Indian users.

It highlighted that changes in privacy policy and the way in which we present changes including the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) reduce privacy, data security and user preferences.

The department also took a similar stand in the Delhi High Court, where the case is fair, a source said