LawLoveLegal

I. Background: WhatsApp’s Submissions Before the Supreme Court WhatsApp recently informed the Supreme Court of India that it does not read private messages, sell user data, or use encrypted chats for targeted advertisements , reaffirming its commitment to end-to-end encryption. However, it strongly opposed a blanket prohibition on data sharing with its parent company, Meta Platforms , arguing that such a restriction would harm user choice, disrupt legitimate business operations, and negatively impact small Indian enterprises that rely on digital advertising. The matter is being heard by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymala Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi , in appeals filed by WhatsApp, Meta, and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against a National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) ruling dated November 4, 2025 , which upheld a penalty of ₹213.14 crore on WhatsApp for abuse of dominance under competition law. II. Regulatory Background: C...

TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has begun hiring for two roles at its Gurgaon office , sparking speculation that the popular short-video app might soon return to India. However, government officials have clarified that TikTok remains banned , and no official order has been issued to unblock it. TikTok’s Recent Hiring Activity TikTok India has posted two job openings on LinkedIn: Content Moderator (Bengali Speaker), Trust and Safety Wellbeing Partnership and Operations Lead, Trust and Safety The recruitment news comes shortly after TikTok India’s official website became accessible again, fueling speculation about a potential comeback. However, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has stated that these rumors are incorrect, and TikTok remains banned on Google Play Store and Apple App Store . The 2020 Ban on TikTok in India TikTok was banned in India in June 2020 under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 , citing national s...

Plea in Delhi High Court Raises Concerns Over Mobile Apps Sharing Sensitive Vehicle Owner Data A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court raising serious concerns about mobile applications that allow third-party access to the personal and sensitive information of vehicle owners. The plea, filed by Gopal Bansal , a practicing advocate, highlights potential privacy violations and security risks caused by these apps providing easy access to information such as the vehicle owner's name , address , and vehicle details . Key Points of the Petition 1. Access to Sensitive Information: The petitioner argued that the ease with which these apps provide access to personal information could result in misuse , with malicious intent. He claimed that this could jeopardize the safety and privacy of vehicle owners. 2. Judges and Senior Advocates Targeted: In his petition, Bansal stated that he was able to obtain information about vehicles reportedly used by judges and senior advocat...