Instant messaging application – WhatsApp has told the Delhi High Court that no decision has been taken by it on deferring the implementation of its new privacy policy.
It informed the Court that the new privacy policy came into effect from May 15.
WhatsApp said that it will continue to “persuade” users to accept it before their accounts are eventually deleted if they don’t comply.
“We are still trying to persuade consumers but if they don’t accept slowly, slowly these accounts will be deleted. There is no universal deadline for this,” senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the company, said.
Meanwhile, the Centre has maintained its stand that the new privacy policy of WhatsApp violates the Information Technology (IT) law and rules.
WhatsApp has defended its decision, saying the concerns stemmed from misinformation and the data that would be shared is limited to users’ interactions with business accounts.
The Delhi High Court on Monday refrained from ordering a stay on the implementation of the policy.
Appearing for the Centre, additional solicitor general (ASG) Chetan Sharma said the Union government has written to Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg on the issue and a reply is awaited and therefore, there was a need to maintain status quo with regard to implementation of the policy.
The matter will be next heard on June 3.