The Supreme Court of India has issued a stern warning to Meta and WhatsApp, cautioning against sharing Indian users’ private data for advertising or commercial purposes. The court emphasized that citizens’ right to privacy cannot be compromised, directing the companies to comply with Indian laws or risk losing access to the market.
In a landmark hearing on February 3, 2026, the Supreme Court of India strongly reprimanded Meta Platforms and WhatsApp over their controversial privacy policies. The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, underscored that user data cannot be exploited for commercial gains, warning that the companies must comply with Indian laws or exit the market.
Notable Updates
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Court stance: “We will not allow you to share a single digit of our data,” said Chief Justice Surya Kant.
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Legal context: The case stems from WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy, which allowed data sharing with Meta for targeted ads.
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Penalty: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had earlier imposed a ₹213 crore fine on WhatsApp, upheld by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
Major Takeaways
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The Supreme Court signaled it may ban data-sharing practices if safeguards are not ensured.
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The ruling reinforces India’s constitutional right to privacy as paramount over corporate interests.
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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta termed WhatsApp’s policy “exploitative,” highlighting risks of commercial misuse of personal data.
Important Points
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The court will issue detailed orders on February 10, 2026.
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Analysts view this as a watershed moment in India’s digital regulation, potentially reshaping how global tech firms operate in the country.
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The warning underscores India’s assertive stance on data sovereignty amid rising concerns over Big Tech practices.
Sources: India Today, Firstpost, Times of India, NDTV