WhatsApp's new privacy policy not approved by the government, asked the company to withdraw

Posted on 19th Jan 2021 by rohit kumar

Amid the ruckus about WhatsApp's new privacy policy, the Indian government has asked the company to withdraw it, denying it unacceptable. The central government has written a letter to WhatsApp CEO Will Cathart, saying that any unilateral change in service, privacy terms is not justified and acceptable. The government also said that the proposed changes in the WhatsApp privacy policy cause serious concerns, they should be withdrawn.

 

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said in a strong letter to WhatsApp CEO Will Cathart that India is the largest user of WhatsApp in the world and the largest market for its services. The letter said that the proposed changes in the service and privacy policy of WhatsApp raise serious concerns about the choice and autonomy of Indian citizens.

 

The ministry asked WhatsApp to withdraw the proposed changes and reconsider its approach to information privacy, freedom of selection, and data security. The letter stated that Indians should be treated with due respect, and any unilateral change in WhatsApp's service, privacy terms is not fair and acceptable.

 

Meanwhile, Communications, Electronics, and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said at the 15th India Digital Summit that national security would be given the highest importance during liaison with international companies. WhatsApp has been heavily criticized around the world including India recently on the issue of data security and privacy. However, WhatsApp has said that the messages sent on its platform are completely confidential and WhatsApp or Facebook cannot see private messages sent from its platform.

 

Prasad said, "My department is working on this issue, and being the deciding authority, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it." But, I would like to say one thing very clearly. Be it WhatsApp, Facebook, or any digital platform ... you are free to do business in India, but do so without infringing on the rights of Indians working here. " Need to be maintained.

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