WhatsApp recently revealed its new privacy policy, which its users will need to accept by May 15 or they might lose access to the app. There has been a huge public outcry against it with users privacy concerns. Now the Indian government has reportedly asked WhatsApp to withdraw the recent changes, stating that the unilateral changes are not fair and acceptable. Also Read - Beware of this Women's day WhatsApp scam that claims to offer free Adidas shoes
According to a report by PTI, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has sent a strongly worded letter to WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart, stating that the proposed changes to the WhatsApp Terms of Service and Privacy Policy “raise grave concerns regarding the implications for the choice and autonomy of Indian citizens.” Also Read - WhatsApp's Desktop app gets voice and video calling feature; group calls support coming
MeitY has further asked the company to withdraw the changes and to “reconsider its approach to information privacy, freedom of choice and data security.” Also Read - WhatsApp testing disappearing images for Android, iOS: Here's how it will work
According to the report, MeitY stated that India is the home to the largest user base of WhatsApp globally and is one the biggest markets for its services, due to which the privacy of Indian users should be respected and “any unilateral changes to the WhatsApp Terms of Service and Privacy would not be fair and acceptable.”
WhatsApp is yet to issue a response to the letter.
WhatsApp recently delayed the deadline for accepting the policy from February 8 to May 15. The company claimed that the delay has been introduced for it to clear up misinformation around privacy and security.
The company claims that it will not see the private messages of its users or listen to their calls as they will be end-to-end encrypted. It will only utilize data of people chatting with Business accounts, which will help them in serving targeted ads. It states that the new policy will legally bind a practice that has been widely in use since 2016.
