 "Denys Prykhodov / Shutterstock.com")
Two users of the WhatsApp messaging service approached the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, in response to the platform’s decision to share information with its parent company Facebook and its group entities.
The petition says that the change in policy, expected to come into effect from September 25, unilaterally compromises the privacy rights of users, by seeking consent to the sharing of information in a surreptitious and deceptive manner from unsuspecting consumers of the service.
The Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and judge Sangita Dhingra took note of the filings put forth by advocates Sandeep Sethi and Pratibha Singh, appearing for the petitioners, who called the move a “very serious breach of policy” and have issued notice to the Centre.
The Bench has also asked the authorities concerned to file their replies to the petition by September 14, in order to look into the issue in further detail.
Also Read: What To Do When WhatsApp 'Shares' Your Number With Facebook
The petition says that the change in policy, expected to come into effect from September 25, unilaterally compromises the privacy rights of users, by seeking consent to the sharing of information in a surreptitious and deceptive manner from unsuspecting consumers of the service.
The Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and judge Sangita Dhingra took note of the filings put forth by advocates Sandeep Sethi and Pratibha Singh, appearing for the petitioners, who called the move a “very serious breach of policy” and have issued notice to the Centre.
The Bench has also asked the authorities concerned to file their replies to the petition by September 14, in order to look into the issue in further detail.
Also Read: What To Do When WhatsApp 'Shares' Your Number With Facebook
The petition has sought directions to be issued to the Centre to protect the safety and privacy of WhatsApp users in India, as well as to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to frame rules under the Information Technology Act, 2000, to regulate such over-the-top platforms.
It has also urged the court to prohibit WhatsApp from implementing their new policy and to continue to allow users unrestricted access to the service, till determination of the present petition.
It has also urged the court to prohibit WhatsApp from implementing their new policy and to continue to allow users unrestricted access to the service, till determination of the present petition.
