Govt pro-actively looking for action on WhatsApp privacy rules issue: MeitY official

The government is “pro-actively” looking at best possible options around WhatsApp new privacy rules, a senior Ministry of Electronics and IT official said on Thursday.

WhatsApp had set May 15 for its users to accept a change in privacy policy but later scrapped the deadline for users to accept the controversial update. The instant mobile messaging firm has also said that not accepting the terms will not lead to deletion of accounts. WhatsApp had faced severe backlash over user concerns that data was being shared with parent company Facebook.

“The ministry is cognisant of this problem. Today, Germany has banned this privacy policy of WhatsApp.