WhatsApp Privacy Policy: Pakistan mulling to bring ‘strong’ data protection law

In wake of the recent shift in WhatsApp privacy policy, Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology is mulling to introduce a strong data protection law to protect its citizen's privacy.

“WhatsApp Privacy Policy allows data sharing of consumers sensitive information, Ministry of Science and Technology, is considering introducing a strong data protection law to protect citizens privacy,” stated Chaudhry in a tweet post.

Opining on the privacy policy issues, the minister said that instead of a unilateral approach such policy changes should have been made after wider consultation.

The development comes after WhatsApp, the world’s largest messaging platform has updated its terms and privacy policy, under which the platform will share the user data with the parent company Facebook.

As per the WhatsApp notification, key updates include more information about, WhatsApp service and how it process the user data, how businesses can use Facebook posted services to store and manage their WhatsApp chats and how WhatsApp partner with Facebook to offer integration across the Facebook company products.

“By tapping AGREE to accept the new terms and privacy policy, which take effect on February 8 2021. After this date, you'll need to accept this updates to continue using WhatsApp. You can also visit the Help Centre if you would prefer to delete your account and would like more information,” states the notification.

Meaning if the user doesn’t agree to the new Terms and Privacy policy, they can no longer access the platform after February 8, 2021.