India’s Supreme Court has issued a stern warning to Meta, questioning WhatsApp’s data-sharing model and its privacy implications. The court scrutinized how WhatsApp monetizes user data, especially in a market where it dominates communication.
With over 500 million users in India, WhatsApp faces scrutiny over potential misuse of metadata for advertising and AI purposes within Meta’s ecosystem. Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized the importance of user privacy and consent, highlighting concerns about the lack of genuine choice for users.
During the hearing, the court expressed skepticism about WhatsApp’s data practices, labeling the messaging service as a de facto monopoly. Justices raised questions about the commercial value of behavioral data and its exploitation for targeted advertising, underscoring the economic significance of even anonymized information.
Meta’s defense focused on WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, ensuring message privacy. The company argued that the disputed privacy policy did not compromise user data protection or enable chat content for advertising purposes.
Source: TechCrunch