WhatsApp obtaining 'trick consent': Centre tells Delhi HC on 2021 privacy policy

In a fresh affidavit, the Central government on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that WhatsApp was indulging in anti-users practices by obtaining 'trick consent' from users for its updated privacy policy 2021. The Centre submitted before the Delhi High Court that WhatsApp has unleashed its digital prowess to existing users and would force them to accept the updated 2021 privacy policy, to transfer the existing user base committed to the updated privacy policy before Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill becomes law. Also Read | Coronavirus India Updates: Myths and Facts of COVID-19 vaccination; here is what PM Modi govt doing to vaccinate Indians It further submitted that current notifications being pushed by WhatsApp on its users, existing and new ones, is against the very grain of prima facie opinion of the Competition Commission of India's order dated March 24, 2021. Also Read | Third wave of coronavirus in Maharashtra? Over 8,000 children test positive in 1 district The government also urged the Delhi HC to issue interim direction to WhatsApp to desist from any action of 'push notifications' onto users related to the updated 2021 privacy policy and to place on the record number of times such notifications are being pushed daily and their conversion rate. The Centre's response came after several petitions were filed against WhatsApp's updated privacy policy. Meanwhile, WhatsApp spokesperson said that "We reiterate that we've already responded to GoI and assured them that users' privacy remains our priority. As a reminder, the recent update doesn't change the privacy of people’s personal messages, rather provides additional info about how people can interact with businesses." "We will not limit the functionality of how WhatsApp works in the coming weeks," it added. Click here to follow PTC News on Twitter -PTC News

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