Supreme Court notice to TRAI on Facebook, WhatsApp
The CJI pointed out that since it is free, you take it or leave it. The court, however, agreed to examine the issue.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on a petition seeking a direction to frame a policy to protect privacy of contents and regulate commercial exploitation of private communication through social networking sites like WhatsApp and Facebook.
A bench comprising Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, while seeking the response in two weeks, sought the assistance of Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi in this regard.
Sites have infringed on privacy: Counsel
Appearing for two law students, senior counsel Harish Salve submitted that the privacy of citizens has been infringed on by WhatsApp and Facebook, which amounted to infringement of Articles 19 (Freedom of Speech and Expression) and 21 (Right to Life) of the Constitution. He said the social networking sites compromised the privacy of interpersonal communication of over 150 million people in the country and there should be some regulation.
The CJI pointed out that since it is free, you take it or leave it. The court, however, agreed to examine the issue.
This is an appeal against the Delhi High Court order of September 23, 2016, which said that WhatsApp will not share users’ data collected under its old privacy policy over the years up to September 25, 2016, with Facebook or any other related company. The court asked WhatsApp to completely delete all data of users who chooses to opt out of the instant messaging app after the coming into force of its new privacy policy.
The HC also said that WhatsApp will delete users’ data up to September 25, 2016, even of those who choose not to opt out of the instant messaging app and agree with new privacy policy.