Supreme Court Questions Meta and WhatsApp Over Commercial Exploitation of Personal Data
The Supreme Court of India is examining whether messaging platforms like WhatsApp can share and commercially exploit user data. A three-judge Bench led by the Chief Justice compared the unauthorized sharing of private data to a 'decent way of committing theft.' The court is scrutinizing the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act of 2023, noting that it primarily addresses privacy but may lack sufficient provisions regarding the 'rent-sharing' or monetary value of user data. The Bench emphasized that once data is shared, its value remains, and users should have a say in its commercial use.
Key Points
- The SC is hearing petitions against a ₹213.14-crore penalty imposed on Meta by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
- The court highlighted that the DPDP Act 2023 focuses on privacy but not necessarily on the commercial value of data.
- Concerns were raised about whether rural or poor users can navigate complex privacy consent language.
- The Bench impleaded the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as a party in the case.
Exam Facts
- Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act of 2023
- CCI penalty on Meta: ₹213.14 crore
- Three-judge Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant
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