India’s Supreme Court Bars WhatsApp Data Sharing; Guangdong Police Bust High‑Altitude Drone Violation

The Indian Supreme Court recently issued a landmark decision on the WhatsApp data‑sharing controversy, stating that the platform may not “play with citizens’ privacy rights.” The case stems from WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy‑policy update that sought to increase data sharing with its parent company Meta outside the EU for commercial and advertising purposes. Users were forced to accept the new terms or lose access to the service, prompting concerns over genuine user choice.

The court emphasized that privacy is a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution and that companies cannot undermine this right through standard‑form contracts or market dominance. It warned that large platforms must bear responsibility for protecting user data rather than using data exchange as a condition for service continuation.

WhatsApp argued that end‑to‑end encryption protects message content and that the policy change only affects metadata. However, the court rejected the notion that encrypted content alone guarantees privacy, noting that metadata—such as communication partners, frequency, timestamps, device information, and transaction records—can reveal detailed behavioral and social‑network patterns, which are valuable for targeted advertising.

From a broader perspective, the ruling aligns with India’s ongoing efforts since 2017 to strengthen data‑governance, including personal data protection legislation, data‑localization requirements, and platform regulation. The decision provides judicial backing for future legislative and regulatory actions, signaling that large markets like India will enforce clearer boundaries on data use.

In a separate incident, Guangdong police in Zhongshan seized a “black‑flight” drone case. Suspect Li Mao Mao, lacking a piloting license, purchased five drones, illegally removed flight‑restriction limits, and operated them at heights up to 8,000 m, with some flights coming within 800 m of commercial aircraft. Legal experts highlighted the severe danger of intruding into controlled airspace and the risk of collisions.

Another individual, Zhu Mao Mao, provided remote‑control hacking software to bypass altitude limits for over 50 drones, earning several thousand yuan. Both Li and Zhu were arrested on charges of endangering public safety and illegal computer intrusion.

Source: 安全圈