Won’t Allow Violation of Citizens’ Privacy Rights: Supreme Court Pulls Up WhatsApp, Meta Over Data Sharing

The Supreme Court strongly criticised WhatsApp and its parent company Meta over concerns relating to user data sharing, stating that citizens’ right to privacy cannot be compromised in the name of technology or business practices.

The Court questioned the “take-it-or-leave-it” nature of WhatsApp’s privacy policy and observed that consent mechanisms appeared illusory, leaving users with no real choice.

It flagged concerns over unequal bargaining power and opaque data practices, remarking that such policies could amount to misuse of private information.

The Court also impleaded the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology as a party and said interim orders would be passed on February 9.

[WhatsApp LLC v. Competition Commission of India]