Plea Over Possible Privacy Violations By WhatsApp, Facebook: SC Seeks Centre’s Response

The Supreme Court today (16 January) sought the Centre's position on a plea seeking regulations to secure the privacy of Whatsapp and Facebook contents, which is said to be facing a threat under newly introduced policies.

Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud told the petitioner: "It is a private person extending private service. You take it or leave it - that is your right."

The petitioner maintained that under the new policy initiated by WhatsApp, the online messaging service could access, read, share and use the contents for commercial purposes.

Appearing for the petitioner, senior counsel Harish Salve told the court that it was the duty of the government to protect "my right under articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution and safeguard my privacy".

The court also issued notices to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, online messaging service WhatsApp and the social networking site Facebook.

With inputs from IANS