Industry groups demands for immediate technical audit of WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram

To see the monopolistic approach of the messaging app controlled facebook, got the Nation-wide backlash, starting from the individuals to enterprises, Government officials and the judiciary spoke on the autocratic culture of new privacy policy from 8th February and is obtaining forcible consent of users

Now in a recent development, the industry lobby CAIT says, it is unconstitutional, violation of law and poses a threat to national security. It's a case of daylight robbery of data in India and trading fraternity of the country will not lag behind in setting things right, come what may.

The CAIT had written a letter to communication to Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stating that the Facebook-owned instant messaging app had recently issued some media advertisements trying to hold its privacy policy ,which has created a huge ruckus in the industry.

CAIT accused WhatsApp, Facebook and it's photo sharing app Instagram guilty in severe breach of privacy and for destroying the trust of more than 400 million users in India which are owned by one single parent company who have left no stone unturned in compromising the security, privacy, independence and integrity of the whole nation by sharing user information amongst each other and selling to third parties.

It says, WhatsApp is all set to launch its new privacy policy from 8th February and is obtaining forcible consent of users which is unconstitutional, violation of law and poses a threat to national security-the CAIT said.

The CAIT has demanded that the government should direct Whatsapp not to implement its proposed privacy policy from February 8 and a thorough investigation should immediately be conducted against WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram.

Further, a technical Audit of these three social media platforms should also be conducted immediately and it should be ascertained whether the data which has been accrued so far by them is stored in India or transferred to some other country.

CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal in a strongly worded letter sent to the minister of MOCIT, accused WhatsApp for encroaching upon fundamental rights of citizen and said that "by updating its new user policy, WhatsApp has not only challenged the very fundamentals of the right to privacy of an individual, it has made every citizen vulnerable and susceptible to the whims and fancies of the unscrupulous digital companies out to infringe on a person's existence. The proposed new policy is a potential hammer on Right to Freedom of Liberty & Life as also Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression".

After failing in its attempt in European Union to continue this policy, Facebook has now made India as a new target. they are trying to take the advantage of the delayed data privacy policy of India, which is taking long time to implement in the country. They want to implement before the law enforces. An expert says, their payment app also to get audited, chances are also there, there is either some leakage or some kind of AI is connected to understand the buyers spending pattern. Another expert says, after Facebook invested a huge money in an Indian company, they are in the impression to control with whatever scheme they will bring, it’ll get approved.

The letter further says, the Facebook earned fire from European Union Antitrust Authority which not only imposed restrictions on Facebook but also levied a fine of 110 million dollars in 2017 which shows that these MNCs are habitual offenders for exploitation of sovereign wealth of the Country where they are conducting business activities, by legal or illegal means.