Zomato,Ola and Bigbasket also take the same or more data : Whatsapp on privacy policy

Highlight :

• WhatsApp says blocking the new privacy policy would hinder the functionality of other tech companies in India.

• In response, WhatsApp says that many tech companies including Big Basket, Google, Koo, Microsoft, Ola, Truecaller, Zomato, and Zoom collect similar or more data.

• The company also went ahead and cited the Aarogya Setu app from the Government of India saying that even it has similar privacy policies for collecting user data.

   WhatsApp has said in its response to a petition filed against its privacy policy update in the Delhi High Court that many Internet-based applications and websites have similar policies and that some even collect more data, according to a report. The instant messaging app owned by Facebook reportedly cited privacy policies of companies including Big Basket, Koo, Ola, Truecaller, and Zomato as well as the government's contact tracing app Aarogya Setu in an affidavit filed in the court.

   The messaging app also named US tech giants Google, Microsoft, and Zoom and mentioned Republic World, the digital venture of news channel Republic TV, Inc42 reports citing an affidavit filed in the Delhi High Court on May 5.

   The company also went ahead and cited the Aarogya Setu app from the Government of India saying that even it has similar privacy policies for collecting user data. WhatsApp told Delhi High Court in its affidavit that if its new privacy policy is blocked, it would disrupt the operations of other tech companies (in India) including the ones who are facilitating grocery delivery as well as online appointments with doctors.

WhatsApp privacy policy

   WhatsApp had introduced a new privacy policy earlier this year, which would allow it to share user data such as mobile device information, IP addresses, transaction info, and other such things with its parent company Facebook. According to the social media platform, the user data would be used to expand its WhatsApp Business. Moreover, the company has already clarified that it would not be able to read user messages under this privacy policy.

  

 The new privacy policy was supposed to come into play from February 8th. However, due to a strong backlash from the public, WhatsApp pushed the privacy policy deadline to May 15th. Eventually, WhatsApp scrapped the deadline for the privacy policy. 

 

The company clarified that it would not delete accounts of any users who would not accept the new privacy policy and that they can continue using the app. However, WhatsApp says that the users who do not accept the new privacy policy will encounter limited functionality.