WhatsApp indulging in ‘anti-users practices’ by obtaining ‘trick consent’, Centre tells HC
Centre seeks route to WhatsApp to ‘desist from any action of pushing notifications onto existing users related to updated 2021 privacy policy’.
The Centre has knowledgeable the Delhi High Court that on the spot messaging app WhatsApp was indulging in “anti-users practices” by obtaining “trick consent” from the customers for it up to date privateness coverage.
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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity), in an affidavit filed earlier than the court docket, said that WhatsApp was “bombarding” million of its current customers, those that haven’t accepted the up to date 2021 privateness coverage, with notifications every day.
Also learn: New IT guidelines | Centre accuses WhatsApp of try and stall norms
The Ministry has urged the court docket to offer a route to WhatsApp to “desist from any action of ‘pushing notifications’ onto existing users related to updated 2021 privacy policy”.
“The current notifications as being pushed by the Respondent No. 2 (WhatsApp) on its users whether existing or new is against the very grain of prima facie opinion of the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) order of March 24, 2021,” the Ministry mentioned.
Also learn: New IT guidelines | Centre seeks compliance report from intermediaries
The CCI had referred to as for an investigation into WhatsApp new privateness coverage.
“Having considered the overarching terms and conditions of the new policy, the Commission is of prima facie opinion that the ‘take-it-or leave-it’ nature of privacy policy and terms of service of WhatsApp and the information sharing stipulations mentioned therein, merit a detailed investigation in view of the market position and market power enjoyed by WhatsApp,” the competitors watchdog had mentioned.
The Ministry’s affidavit is in response to a petition filed by Seema Singh difficult WhatsApp’s new privateness coverage which offered for sharing info with third occasion service suppliers and different Facebook firms.
The Facebook owned entity can be going through related petition in totally different courts throughout India towards its new privateness coverage.
WhatsApp has earlier mentioned its new privateness coverage got here into impact from May 15, but in addition clarified that it might not begin deleting accounts of these customers who haven’t accepted it and would attempt to encourage them to get on board.
Earlier, Meity had additionally said that that new privateness coverage was not in tune with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011.