Supreme Court Warns Meta: Abide by Constitution or Leave India in WhatsApp Case

• The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, sternly warned Meta (WhatsApp's parent company) regarding its 2021 privacy policy.
• The court criticized WhatsApp's policy of sharing user data for commercial exploitation, stating it violates citizens' privacy.
• Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and CCI lawyers highlighted that despite encryption, user data is commercially exploited, emphasizing the need for DPDP Act implementation.
• The bench noted that ordinary citizens cannot understand complex privacy policies, calling WhatsApp's policy "very cleverly crafted."
• The court emphasized that behavioral and commercial exploitation, including targeted advertising based on chat patterns, violates fundamental user rights.

Why It Matters: Supreme Court warns Meta to respect Indian Constitution and user privacy or exit India, criticizing WhatsApp's data policy.