The issue of data privacy and data usage is now gaining steam in India. Now, Govt. of India has slapped a notice on Facebook, seeking their response to data sharing row which has recently erupted.
As we had reported, Facebook has admitted that they shared users’ and their friend’s data with Chinese mobile companies.
In a related news, after Govt. asked NPCI whether WhatsApp payment is safe and secured or not, WhatsApp has responded that they are not sharing any payment related with Facebook, except some ‘important’ ones.
What is the truth here?
Govt. Of India To Facebook: We Need Answers!
Govt. of India has sent a notice to Facebook, seeking their response over allegations that they shared users’ data with Chinese mobile companies.
Facebook has been granted time till June 20th to share their response.
The letter from Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology stated,
“The Government of India is deeply concerned about reports of such lapses/violations.”
Earlier, when the data scandal involving Cambridge Analytica broke out, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had warned Mark Zuckerberg over data abuse. Later, Zuckerberg had assured that users’ data is protected with utmost care.
However, it seems that the assurances aren’t working anymore.
The letter said,
“However, such reports raise uncomfortable questions about the assurances made by Facebook. Therefore, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has sought an explanation from Facebook seeking a detailed factual report on the issue.”
WhatsApp: Only Limited Payment Data Shared With Facebook!
Meanwhile, WhatsApp, which is right now facing the heat over their new payment feature in India, has issued a statement that only ‘limited’ data pertaining to WhatsApp Payment is being shared with Facebook.
Recently, Govt. of India had asked NPCI, the nodal authority over digital payments in India, to answer some serious privacy-related questions related to WhatsApp payment.
As alleged by Paytm, WhatsApp Payment is being allowed to process payment without 2-factor authorization, and as per our reports, Facebook is being granted access to payments data, which is against the policies of NPCI.
In their response, WhatsApp has clarified that only limited payment related data is being shared with Facebook.
In their statement, WhatsApp said,
“Facebook does not use WhatsApp payment information for commercial purposes, it simply helps pass the necessary payment information to the bank partner and NPCI.”
As per WhatsApp, Facebook processes the transaction data under UPI as a service provider and doesn’t use them for commercial purpose.
WhatsApp added,
“Today, almost 1 million people are testing WhatsApp payments in India. The feedback has been very positive.”
Response from NPCI and IT Ministry is awaited.