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Accept it or leave the app: Delhi High Court on WhatsApp's new privacy policy

Accepting the new privacy policy of the instant messaging app is voluntary and one can opt for another application, the high court stated.

ByIFP Bureau

Updated 20 Jan 2021, 3:39 am

Representational image (PHOTO: Pixabay)
Representational image (PHOTO: Pixabay)

The Delhi High Court on Monday told a petitioner challenging WhatsApp's new privacy policy that he is free to leave the social messaging app if he does not want to accept its terms and conditions.

Accepting the new privacy policy of WhatsApp is voluntary and one can opt for another application, the high court stated.

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“Leave WhatsApp. Go to some other application. It’s a voluntary thing. Don’t accept it,” Justice Sachdeva said to the petitioner.

The petitioner, a lawyer, had challenged the new privacy policy of WhatsApp claiming it was “against the fundamental right to privacy guaranteed by the Constitution.”

In response to the petitioner’s plea, the HC said that one would be surprised if one reads the terms and conditions of most mobile apps and what all they are consenting to.

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“Not only WhatsApp, all applications do that… Do you use Google maps? Do you know it captures and shares your data?” Justice Sachdeva said.

The court has adjourned the hearing to January 25, saying the petition needs to be analysed and also directed the Centre to lay down guidelines to ensure that WhatsApp does not share its users' data with any third party or Facebook and its companies for any purpose.

Under the new privacy policy, the instant messaging app has made it mandatory for its users to share their data with its parent company - Facebook. and the user must accept its terms and conditions to continue using WhatsApp.
 
The new privacy policy of WhatsApp was slated to come into effect on February 8 but has been deferred till May 15.

ALSO READ: WhatsApp's Terms And Privacy Policy Update: Why you need to know about the updated privacy policy

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WhatsApp privacy policyWhatsAppdelhi high court

IFP Bureau

IFP Bureau

IMPHAL, Manipur

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