WhatsApp’s new privacy policy has surely irked many people, and the Delhi High Court recently responded to a petitioner who challenged the messaging app’s policy. According to The Indian Express, Judge Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva Monday told the petitioner who challenged WhatsApp’s new privacy policy that he was free to leave the app and move to another application if he had concerns about his privacy. “If you feel WhatsApp is likely to compromise with your data, leave WhatsApp,” Justice Sachdeva told the petitioner.
According to the publication, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva asked advocate Manohar Lal, who had filed the petition, if he had read the terms and conditions of any mobile application he uses. “You will be shocked and surprised as to what all you consent to. And it’s a voluntary thing Mr. Lal, don’t accept it. This is a private app. Don’t join in,” Justice Sachdeva remarked, as he posted the case for detailed hearing on another date due to paucity of time on Monday. According to the petition filed by Mr. Lal, WhatsApp’s new policy is “against the fundamental right to privacy guaranteed by the Constitution.”
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The court pointed out that WhatsApp had deferred its plan to implement the new privacy policy until May.
On January 16, WhatsApp took to Twitter to clarify that “No one will have their account suspended or deleted on February 8 and we’ll be moving back our business plans until after May”.
During the brief hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Central government, said the issue required some consideration.
The publication reports that senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, for WhatsApp, said, “This is a hullabaloo about nothing. WhatsApp has consistently said any messages between friends, families, chats are completely encrypted from end-to-end. Even WhatsApp can’t read it. So, it is completely safe. The policy has been the same for the past five years. We have made a change only with regards to business WhatsApp, which is completely different from private chats.”
While posting the case for detailed hearing on January 25, Justice Sachdeva refused to issue notice to WhatsApp as pleaded by Mr. Lal. According to the publication, the court said it still required clarification from Mr. Lal on, “What is the data that you [Mr. Lal] are feeling is going to be compromised?”
“Mr Lal, do you use Google Maps? Do you use web browsers. This will require some time. We will hear it on some other day,” Justice Sachdeva said.
The hearing has now been adjourned to January 25.
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