The ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has asked WhatsApp to withdraw the unilateral changes to its privacy policy as they take away choice from Indian users and are invasive, unfair and unacceptable and reconsider its approach to information privacy, freedom of choice and data security.
“The proposed changes raise grave concerns regarding the implications for the choice and autonomy of Indian citizens… Therefore, you are called upon to withdraw the proposed changes,” the ministry of electronics and information technology wrote to WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart on Monday.
The ministry has also asked detailed information about WhatsApp’s data sharing protocols and business practices. WhatsApp’s new privacy policy was to be implemented from February 8 but has been put on hold till May 15 due to user backlash; the policy aims to share commercial user data with its parent company Facebook.
