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Confederation of All India Traders or CAIT has written to Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister for IT & Communication (GOI) strongly objecting the new WhatsApp policy that invades user privacy and shares data with Facebook.
Confederation of All India Traders is the apex body of the Trading Community of India at the national level. The letter by CAIT states that the WhatsApp policy through which personal data, transactions, contacts, location, and other information that can be acquired, shared with all Facebook companies and used for other purposes "can pose serious threat to the trade and economy" and also the "security of the country".
The letter also states the policy runs against the basic fundamentals of the Constitution Of India and immediate intervention of Government is required. The letter is signed by Praveen Khandelwal, National Secretary General, Confederation of All India Traders, who also highlighted the concern in a video posted through the body's handle.
.@CAITIndia Secretary General Shri @praveendel explains how dangerous #newwhatsapppolicy is for the citizens of India. We reiterate our demand to Minister Shri @rsprasad to take immediate necessary action & restrict #whatsapp from implementing the policy or ban it @GoI_MeitY pic.twitter.com/CcennaHQrh
— Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) (@CAITIndia) January 11, 2021
For the unacquainted, as per the updated WhatsApp privacy policy, third-party services and Facebook Company Products that are integrated with WhatsApp features can receive information about users, through WhatsApp.
Third-party service providers that work with WhatsApp, including Facebook companies can also provide data and information about the users to WhatsApp in addition to other policies.
The new WhatsApp privacy policy has invited a lot of criticism from users, personalities, and organizations. It has also been one of the widely discussed and trending topics since its announcement.
It's time for us to reclaim our privacy and time! If you don't want to be forced to click "I Agree", here is what you can do:
— Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) (@internetfreedom) January 11, 2021
✅Switch to a more secure platform like @signalapp.
✅ Join us in pushing for enactment of a strong data protection legislation in India. 5/n
Now that #WhatsApp have updated their terms, forcing users to share their data with #Facebook, here's our suggested update to that notification you see at the top of your chats.#WhatsappNewPolicy #WhatsappPrivacy pic.twitter.com/FjxFGBm6Q8
— Privacy International (@privacyint) January 7, 2021
Users have threatened to leave WhastApp and communicaed their concern of privacy in the language of memes. Telegram and Signal have emerged as their prioritized choice.
Also Read: WhatsApp changes privacy policy with a few key updates
Indians joining #SignalApp after Whatsapp Policy Updates! pic.twitter.com/Wf55t09oL0
— Ankit Sengar (@ankit__sengar) January 9, 2021
nothing just WhatsApp's new policy guving us privacy#WhatsAppPrivacyPolicy #SignalApp pic.twitter.com/NtyjVFgvEb
— debacich (@debacich) January 9, 2021
*WhatsApp changes policy*
— CHEMICAL PUNSTAR ⚪ (@VHilariouz) January 10, 2021
Telegram rn: pic.twitter.com/jTdvZupOPA
New update on privacy policy of WhatsApp be like...#WhatsappPrivacy #Telegram #WhatsappNewPolicy pic.twitter.com/ftmKRkkYTy
— Versha Chaudhary (@Vershaposts) January 7, 2021
The Tweet by Elon Musk has indirectly worked in the favor of Signal, and the app has largely benefitted from the new WhatsApp policy.
Use Signal
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021
Look at what you've done. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/0YuqyZXtgP
— Signal (@signalapp) January 8, 2021
Signal reported a massive spike in new users after the introduction of WhatsApp policy, that also lead to a delay in the verification process of new users.
Verification codes are currently delayed across several providers because so many new people are trying to join Signal right now (we can barely register our excitement). We are working with carriers to resolve this as quickly as possible. Hang in there.
— Signal (@signalapp) January 7, 2021