WhatsApp: In India, WhatsApp is not just a messaging app but has become an important part of everyday life. Be it family conversations, office work or payment and business chat, WhatsApp is present everywhere. In such a situation, when the Supreme Court of the country gave a strong warning to WhatsApp’s parent company Meta, this matter came into limelight. Comments like ‘Leave India if you can’t follow our Constitution’ clearly indicated that the court is in no mood to give any relaxation regarding the privacy of users.
How did WhatsApp’s privacy controversy begin?
The root of this entire controversy is the new privacy policy of WhatsApp which came in the year 2021. Through this update, users were told that WhatsApp can share some user data with other companies of Meta group. It was said in the policy that this data will be used for improving services, customization and marketing related work.
The biggest problem was that users had only two options: either accept the new terms or delete the WhatsApp account. No option was given to use the app without data sharing, which increased the anger among the people.
Why concerns increased despite end-to-end encryption
WhatsApp clarified that private chats between friends and family remain end-to-end encrypted. However, data about interactions with business accounts may be collected and used for advertising purposes. In a country like India, where crores of people depend on WhatsApp, this did not give much comfort to the people.
Why did the matter heat up again in 2026?
The matter reached the Supreme Court when WhatsApp and Meta challenged the order of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in which a fine of Rs 213.14 crore was imposed. CCI believed that the new privacy policy has harmed both user choice and competition.
During the hearing, the bench led by the Chief Justice adopted a tough stance. The court raised the question that when users have the option of accept or leave, then how can consent be considered genuine. This was termed as artificial consent in which users are forced to give consent by putting pressure on them.
Supreme Court’s strong comment
During the hearing, the court said that due to the strong hold of WhatsApp, people are practically left with no other option because almost everyone uses this app. The court clearly said that the right to privacy cannot be compromised at any cost and business benefits cannot be above the Constitution.
What is the side of WhatsApp and Meta
WhatsApp declined to comment publicly on the issue, but Meta’s lawyers argued in court that the service is free and users are not charged any fees. He said that all types of data are not shared and the company does not have access to private messages. Nevertheless, the court did not seem satisfied with these arguments.
Meta got ultimatum till 9th ​​February
The most important turning point in this case came when the Supreme Court asked Meta and WhatsApp to file an affidavit. The court wants the companies to clearly assure that users’ data will not be shared. February 9 has been fixed for issuing interim orders on this issue. If this assurance is not given then WhatsApp’s appeals may be rejected.
Can WhatsApp really leave India?
Although the language of the court was quite strict, it does not seem possible for WhatsApp to leave India immediately. India is its biggest market and withdrawing from here would be a big blow for the company. The purpose of the court is not to throw out WhatsApp, but to send a message that it is mandatory to respect constitutional values ​​to work in India.
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