Privacy Of Users "Highest Priority", WhatsApp Tells Centre

The centre has asked WhatsApp to withdraw its updated privacy policy, which came into effect on May 15.

Facebook Inc-owned WhatsApp today said it had told the centre that the privacy of users was its highest priority after the country's technology ministry raised questions about the messaging app's new privacy policy. The ministry of information technology asked WhatsApp in a May 18 letter to withdraw its updated privacy policy, which came into effect on May 15, and also said the government could take legal action against the company. "We have responded to the Government of India's letter and assured them that the privacy of users remains our highest priority," the company said in a statement today. WhatsApp also said its update did not change the privacy of peoples' personal messages. WhatsApp earlier this year said users would have to review its updated terms by February 8 but delayed the rollout of new business features to mid-May following a global user backlash over the company's data-sharing practices.