Don’t use WhatsApp if concerned about data: Delhi HC
The Delhi high court on Monday remarked that WhatsApp is a private app and in case anyone has a problem, he or she can remove it from their phones. The court added that all applications, and not just WhatsApp, take information from their users.
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva also refused to issue notice on a plea by lawyer Chaitanya Rohilla, who had challenged the new updated policy of WhatsApp. The court adjourned the matter to January 25 due to the paucity of time.
Appearing for the petitioner, his counsel Manohar Lal requested that a response be sought from WhatsApp on his allegations and the issues raised by him.
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However, the court said that the petitioner can switch to some other application if he has a problem.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for WhatsApp, told the court that the policy remains the same as it was for private persons for the last five years.
He also said that the policy has been updated only with respect to business accounts, while also adding that private chats would continue to remain end to end encrypted.
The plea has contended that updated policy virtually scrutinises the personal profile of a user, violating the Right to Privacy of an individual.
The petition had also said that WhatsApp has put a “Damocles’ sword on its users” to accept its new privacy policy by February 8.
However, it was informed during the hearing that the implementation of the policy has been deferred till April.