The Supreme Court of India has given a strong warning to WhatsApp and its parent company Meta, saying that India’s citizens’ right to privacy cannot be compromised for technology or business purposes. The court stressed that personal data of users must be protected and should not be shared in ways that violate privacy laws.
The warning came during a hearing over legal issues related to WhatsApp’s privacy policy and data-sharing practices. The court expressed concern that WhatsApp’s policy may have allowed user data to be shared with Meta without proper clarity or consent from users.
The court’s bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, said data privacy cannot be treated as something that can be adjusted to suit corporate interests. It pointed out that many people may not fully understand complex privacy terms, and this could lead to misuse of personal information.
In its remarks, the Supreme Court stated that if companies cannot follow India’s Constitution and laws on privacy, they should consider whether they can continue operating in the country. This shows how seriously the court views the protection of personal data for Indian users.
WhatsApp and Meta have argued in courts that they follow standards similar to those in other countries. However, the Supreme Court made it clear that protecting Indian citizens’ privacy is a priority and cannot be weakened.
The case relates to earlier findings by India’s competition and data authorities that questioned how WhatsApp’s privacy policy handled user consent and data sharing. The Supreme Court will continue hearings, and it may issue more detailed orders in the coming days.
In short, the Supreme Court’s warning emphasizes that user privacy rights in India are not optional, and tech companies must ensure that their policies protect personal data clearly and fairly.