WhatsApp Pledges More Data Control to India's Supreme Court

0:00Global story is making news on March 1st, brought to you by Surfshark, simple, affordable online privacy. Links in the episode description. WhatsApp has pledged to India's Supreme Court that it will give users more control over data sharing with parent company Meta by March 16th. The popular messaging app, dominant in India, faces ongoing scrutiny over its privacy practices and how they affect consumer choice. Earlier this week, WhatsApp filed an affidavit promising compliance with a competition watchdog order. This stems from its January 2021 policy update, which regulates slam for forcing data sharing as a condition to keep using the service, leaving users' little option. Many users and digital rights groups pushed back hard, calling it a privacy invasion that pressured people into unwanted terms. Critics highlighted how the app's massive reach in India amplifies these concerns while regulators demand accountability from Big Tech.

1:00In the affidavit, WhatsApp clarified that personal messages stay into end encrypted and won't share data for ads unless users opt into extra features. Though rollout notifications and easy settings tab so people can review or block sharing any time without losing app access. The Supreme Court case continues without a final ruling on penalties, as India tightens rules on platforms amid broader debates over data laws and user rights.