[BREAKING] WhatsApp obtaining "trick consent" for updated privacy policy; Stop WhatsApp from pushing notifications: Centre tells Delhi High Court

The Central government has told the Delhi High Court that WhatsApp is indulging in anti-user practices by obtaining "trick consent" from its users for its updated privacy policy of 2021 (Dr. Seema Singh v. Union of India). .This is being done by "pushing notifications" to its users on the same and the messaging app should be restrained from the doing the same, the Centre requested the Court. .In its additional counter affidavit submitted to the Court, the Central government stated that WhatsApp users, who have not accepted the updated 2021 privacy policy, are now being bombarded with notifications on everyday basis. .Central government has asserted that WhatsApp's game plan is to transfer the entire existing user base committed to updated 2021 privacy policy before the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill becomes the law.."Respondent No.2 (WhatsApp) has unleashed its digital prowess to the unsuspecting existing users and would like to force them to accept the updated 2021 privacy policy by flashing such notifications at a regular intervals. The game plan is very clear, i.e., to transfer the entire existing user base committed to updated 2021 privacy policy before the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill becomes the law," the affidavit said..Central government also informed the Court that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has formed a prima facie opinion that WhatsApp has contravened the provisions of Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002 "through its exploitative and exclusionary conduct, in the garb of policy update". .A thorough and detailed investigation is required to ascertain the full extent, scope and impact of data sharing through involuntary consent of users, it was submitted. .The affidavit was filed on a PIL by Dr Seema Singh, Meghan and Vikram Singh seeking a direction to the Central government to order WhatsApp to either roll back the new privacy policy or provide an option for users to opt out..Central government had earlier claimed that the new update violated the Information Technology Rules of 2011 and WhatsApp may be restrained from implementing the new policy till the challenge to the validity of the policy is finally decided..[Privacy Policy] Users free to stop using WhatsApp; no legal obligation to provide "opt outs": WhatsApp tells Delhi High Court