The government of the UK has written to WhatsApp head Will Cathcart asking him to “respect the informational privacy; and data security of Indian users” and withdraw the latest terms and privacy policy proposed by the messaging service for users in India.
It expressed strong concerns over the policy days after HT on January 11 reported; that the government was closely examining the matter.
The government has also issued a detailed questionnaire to WhatsApp seeking more details about its data-sharing protocols and business practices.
It has sought the exact categories of data that the WhatsApp application collects from Indian users, details of the permissions; and user consent sought by and utility of each of these with respect to the functioning and specific service provided.
The service has been asked whether it profiles users based on their use of the application.
The government has also sought details of the difference between WhatsApp’s privacy policies in India and other countries along with details of its data security policy, information security policy, cyber-security policy, privacy policy, and encryption policy.
HT reached out to WhatsApp for a comment but did not receive one immediately.
