Story perspectives

Supreme Court Slams Meta's Privacy Policy as 'Theft'

2/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Supreme Court of India criticized Meta and WhatsApp for their 2021 privacy policy, calling it a "decent way of committing theft" of user data.
Chief Justice Surya Kant stated on February 3, 2026, that users' consent is not genuine under the "take it or leave it" framework, questioning users' understanding of complex terms.
The court demanded that Meta provide an undertaking to prevent user data sharing without proper safeguards.
This case follows a INR213.14 crore penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India for market dominance abuse.
The court plans to issue interim orders on February 9, 2026.

History

Historical Context

The European Union enacted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2016 to enhance data privacy and user consent. This legislation has significantly impacted global tech companies, including Meta, which faced a INR213.14 crore penalty in India for data misuse. The Indian Supreme Court's 2017 ruling on privacy as a fundamental right underscores the growing demand for accountability in digital spaces, shaping future regulations.

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Story summary

The Supreme Court of India criticized Meta and WhatsApp for their 2021 privacy policy, calling it a "decent way of committing theft" of user data.
Chief Justice Surya Kant stated on February 3, 2026, that users' consent is not genuine under the "take it or leave it" framework, questioning users' understanding of complex terms.
The court demanded that Meta provide an undertaking to prevent user data sharing without proper safeguards.
This case follows a INR213.14 crore penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India for market dominance abuse.
The court plans to issue interim orders on February 9, 2026.

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