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Supreme Court raps Meta over WhatsApp privacy policy

The Supreme Court warned Meta that it would not tolerate any compromise of citizens’ privacy while hearing a case related to WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy and a CCI penalty.

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WhatsApp

The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered strong observations against Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, over the messaging platform’s 2021 privacy policy, warning that it would not tolerate any compromise of citizens’ privacy.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya said the court would not allow the sharing of user data in a manner that exploits Indians, remarking that privacy protections under the Constitution must be followed. “You can’t play with privacy… we will not allow you to share a single digit of our data,” the Chief Justice said during the hearing.

The matter relates to a plea challenging the law tribunal’s decision that upheld a ₹213 crore penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on WhatsApp, while also permitting certain data-sharing practices for advertising purposes.

Court questions accessibility of privacy policy

During the hearing, the court raised concerns about whether WhatsApp’s privacy policy could realistically be understood by large sections of the population, particularly those who are poor or not formally educated.

The bench questioned if users such as roadside vendors, rural residents, or people who do not speak English would be able to comprehend the policy’s terms. It also expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of opt-out clauses, stating that even legally trained individuals find such policies difficult to understand.

Describing the alleged data practices as potentially exploitative, the court said it would not allow private information to be taken without genuine and informed consent from users.

The Chief Justice also cited a personal example, suggesting that users often begin seeing advertisements shortly after exchanging sensitive messages on WhatsApp, such as medical conversations, raising questions about how user data is being utilised.

Arguments from government and Meta

Appearing for the government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta criticised WhatsApp’s data-sharing practices, calling them exploitative and commercially driven. In response, the Chief Justice said that if companies cannot operate in line with constitutional values, they should not do business in India.

Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Akhil Sibal, appearing for Meta and WhatsApp, countered the allegations by asserting that all WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted and that the company cannot read message content.

Background of the case

In November 2024, the CCI ruled against WhatsApp over its 2021 privacy policy, holding that the company had abused its dominant market position by effectively forcing users to accept the updated terms.

The watchdog objected to WhatsApp making continued access to messaging services conditional on permitting data-sharing with other Meta platforms, leading to the imposition of a ₹213 crore fine. Meta has deposited the penalty.

In January 2025, Meta and WhatsApp challenged the CCI order. Later, in November 2025, the law tribunal lifted a five-year restriction on data-sharing while maintaining the financial penalty.

India News

PM Modi thanks voters of West Bengal, hails Syama Prasad Mookerjee dream

PM Narendra Modi welcomes BJP crossing majority in West Bengal, calling it a historic mandate by the people.

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PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited the BJP’s victory in the elections to the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 to the people of the state and each and every party worker who has suffered in promoting the party and disseminating its message over the last 30-odd years. He thanked the people of Assam for re-electing the party.

Addressing party workers at the BJP headquarters, Modi invoked Jana Sangh found Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who worked for the purpose of a united Bengal, and Sri Aurobindo and said their spirits will be at peace at last. Paying paeans to the vision of Tagore, he recounted that the Nobel laureate had wished for a country where one can hold one’s head high without fear.
The PM said the people of Bengal have chosen the governance model of the party. He promised jobs for the youth, increased safety for women. He said the first cabinet meeting will implement Ayushman Bharat in the state. In the same breath, he promised to act against infiltrators decisively.
Pointing to the violence-less election this time, he said not one citizen has been hurt or killed while it many have died in previous polls.
He appealed to the workers of other parties to end the cycle of violence that had plagued the state for all this time and instead serve Bengal and its people.
The problems posed by the war in Iran found place in the PM’s speech. He noted that the whole country is at a disadvantage but people are soldiering on to achieve Viksit Bharat.
Referring to the importance of nari shakti in the development of India, he took potshots at the Congress and other opposition parties for opposing the women’s reservation bill. Modi reminded the audience that he had warned the Congress, Trinamool Congress and DMK for opposing it and they have been taught a lesson. Referring to Kerala, he said the BJP will see gains in the future. He mocked the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for not having any government left in the country after the loss of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front in Kerala.
Attacking the Congress, he said it has become the hub of urban naxals and said the people have thrown out communist thought in the country. The Congress has no understanding of the aspirations of the people. The BJP will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Tamil Nadu and Kerala as well, he said.

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BJP crosses majority in West Bengal, PM Narendra Modi says lotus blooms in first reaction

PM Modi hails BJP’s majority in West Bengal, calling it a historic mandate and thanking voters across the state.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s strong performance in the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, saying the “lotus has bloomed” in the state as the party crossed the majority mark in early results.

In a post on X, Modi thanked the people of West Bengal and described the outcome as a reflection of public trust. He said he bows to every voter for their support, adding that the mandate reflects faith in governance and development-focused politics.

The BJP’s surge in the 294-seat assembly marks a significant political shift in the state, where the party has not previously formed a government. The results indicate a major challenge to the long-standing dominance of the Trinamool Congress.

The election is part of a broader round of state polls across India, where the BJP has shown strong momentum. The party’s performance in West Bengal is being seen as one of the most significant developments in this election cycle.

With counting trends favouring the BJP, focus now turns to final results and the formation of the new government in the state.

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Stalin loses Kolathur seat in Tamil Nadu results 2026 as TVK’s VS Babu scores upset

Media reports suggest MK Stalin has lost his Kolathur stronghold to TVK’s VS Babu in Tamil Nadu election results 2026.

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MK Stalin

In a significant political development in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results 2026, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin is reported to have lost the Kolathur constituency, according to media reports based on counting data.

As per these reports, Stalin was defeated by V. S. Babu of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), marking a notable upset in a seat long regarded as a stronghold of the DMK leader.

Kolathur, located in Chennai, has been closely associated with Stalin for years, making the reported outcome particularly significant in the current election cycle. Earlier counting trends had indicated a tight contest, with Stalin trailing before the result was reported.

The development comes amid a strong showing by actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which has performed competitively across several constituencies in the state, according to media reports.

While the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been leading in multiple seats, the reported loss in Kolathur is being viewed as a key moment in the party’s overall performance.

Final results across Tamil Nadu are still being compiled as counting continues.

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