WhatsApp will not restrict features for not accepting new privacy policy

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Millions of WhatsApp users can feel relieved. Making a 180-degree turnaround from its earlier stand, the largest instant messaging platform has said that it would not limit the functionality of users who are not accepting their new privacy policy.

The personal messaging app owned by Facebook said that it would maintain this stance ‘at least’ until the Personal Data Protection (PDP) law comes into effect in India.

The fiasco

In January this year, WhatsApp introduced the new privacy policy, asking users to share their data with third parties, especially on users’ chats with business accounts on the platform.

A huge controversy followed. The company said users will get limited access on WhatsApp until they accepted the updates. Users had to agree to the policy before the deadline of May 15.

But a case was filed before Delhi High Court which is still being heard. The ministry of information technology has directed WhatsApp to withdraw its new privacy policy, according to reports.

The government has given seven days to WhatsApp to respond to the notice and if no satisfactory response is received, necessary steps in consonance with the law will be taken.

In a communication to WhatsApp on May 18, the ministry told the messaging platform to withdraw its privacy policy 2021.

On May 24 WhatsApp released a statement and said, “Continue to remind users from time to time about the update though no account will be deactivated or restricted unless the user accepted the new privacy policy.”

PDP law

The Centre on February 25 issued strict guidelines for social media giants such as Facebook and Twitter. The deadline to comply with the Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 ends today, May 25.

But experts said India needs a strict PDP law. They said in 2019 PDP Bill was tabled in the Parliament but there has been no development on it since.

Media reports suggest Facebook and Twitter are yet to adhere to the new ethics code rules. The new guidelines include creating systems to deal with grievances by users and monitoring harmful content.

Experts think that Facebook will be more cautious now with the new rules coming into effect from Wednesday.

Some think this is just a pause. India is the largest market for Facebook with an user base of around 53 crore.

Expert take

“WhatsaApp has now turned the situation upside down. Now the ball is in government’s court. The government has to expedite the PDP Bill and turn it into a law. The pressure is on government now.” said Bivas Chatterjee, a renowned cyber law expert.

“Government needs to address this issue more proactively. Facebook is a company and targeting the Indian market since this is the largest in the world. Our government should focus on this privacy issue of the individual as European countries did. GoI should make a strict PDP law on the lines of Germany,” added Chatterjee.

In a statement on May 7, WhatsApp said that a majority of users have already accepted the new terms. It would continue to send reminders to those who have not done yet.