• India’s supreme court reviews WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy
• WhatsApp to let users control their data without mandatory sharing with Meta

India’s most popular messaging app, WhatsApp, is facing intense legal scrutiny over its 2021 privacy policy amid broader debates about user privacy, data control, and the regulation of major digital platforms.

WhatsApp told the Supreme Court it will comply with orders giving users more control over their data by March 16, emphasizing that using the app will not depend on sharing information with its parent company, Meta, for advertising.

The announcement comes after the court criticized the previous policy, calling it a “take it or leave it” approach that left users with no real choice. Competition watchdogs argued the policy exploited WhatsApp’s dominant position in the Indian market.

Earlier, the Competition Commission of India fined Meta $25 million and required WhatsApp to implement reforms ensuring transparency and greater user control over data.

In a new affidavit to the court, WhatsApp confirmed that personal messages remain fully end-to-end encrypted and that users will have the option to choose whether to share data with Meta, with the ability to review and adjust their settings within the app.

The case has sparked a wider debate about users’ rights in large markets like India versus the commercial interests of tech companies leveraging user data for targeted services and advertising.