WhatsApp can’t share pre-Sept 25 user data with FB, says HC

THE TWO DELHI-BASED PETITIONERS ALLEGED THAT WHATSAPP’S DECISION COMPROMISES THE RIGHTS OF ITS USERS.

WhatsApp cannot share its old user data with Facebook or any other platform, the Delhi high court ruled on Friday while allowing the popular instant messaging app to roll out a new privacy policy.

The court order came on a petition challenging WhatsApp’s announcement in August that it would start sharing users’ account information such as phone number with parent company Facebook, marking a notable shift in its policy on privacy.

The two Delhi-based petitioners alleged that WhatsApp’s decision compromises the rights of its users.

Hearing the petitions, a bench headed by chief justice G Rohini directed the messaging service not to share any user data collected till September 25, 2016, with Facebook or any other related company.

“We are of the view that it is always open to the users of WhatsApp, who do not want their information to be shared with Facebook, to opt for deletion of their account,” the court said.

The messaging app, which Facebook acquired in 2014, gave users a 30-day period to choose if they wanted to share information with the social network or opt out before the old policy expires on September 25.

The WhatsApp data will help Facebook push relevant advertisements and make friend recommendations. WhatsApp, which has more than 1 billion users worldwide, sought to reassure people that it won’t share user information with advertisers and doesn’t retain data on its servers once an account is deleted. Not many were convinced.