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India warns Meta, WhatsApp against sharing user data for ads
The country's Supreme Court strongly criticised Meta's data-sharing framework, calling it unacceptable and likening it to a 'decent way of committing theft of private information'
- PUBLISHED: Tue 3 Feb 2026, 1:17 PM
- By:
- Nithin Belle
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The Indian Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 3) issued a sharp warning to Meta platforms and its messaging service WhatsApp, directing the company not to share any user data for advertising purposes. The court asked Meta to provide a clear and binding assurance that such data-sharing would not take place.
“We will not allow you to share a single word of user data,” said the court, stressing that citizens' privacy cannot be "compromised for the business interests of a multinational company."
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“You cannot play with the rights of this country. These things must be very clear. If you are ready to give an affidavit—an undertaking from your management—that is fine. Otherwise, we will dismiss it. There is no question of sharing data. "We will not allow you to do that," the court added.
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It also strongly criticised Meta's data-sharing framework, calling it unacceptable and likening it to a "decent way of committing theft of private information".
The Supreme Court also took issue with Meta's ‘opt-in’ and ‘opt-out’ choice for users, saying the language used was confusing and difficult for ordinary people to understand.
“The language of your policy is such that an ordinary user cannot understand it. What kind of option are you giving? Imagine a street vendor— a poor woman sitting on the street selling fruits. How will she understand your terms and conditions about opting in or opting out?" the Supreme Couple asked.
Meta has been given time till Monday (February 9) to file a detailed response, after which it will issue further orders. The case relates to petitions filed by Meta Platforms and WhatsApp, challenging a Rs2.13 billion (Dh86,600) penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.
