WhatsApp's day in Indian court: Blow by blow account

WhatsApp is having a harrowing time in Indian courts after sticking to its guns for so long regarding imposing its privacy policy on users. Today, WhatsApp stepped back from its strong position and retreated. The case is being heard in the Delhi High Court. Here we provide a blow by blow account of how it all happened:

1. WhatsApp told the court that it would not force users to accept its new privacy policy. WhatsApp said it has voluntarily agreed to put on hold this controversial policy. (Pixabay)

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1/10 1. WhatsApp told the court that it would not force users to accept its new privacy policy. WhatsApp said it has voluntarily agreed to put on hold this controversial policy. (Pixabay)

2. WhatsApp also said it will not limit users' functionality until the government passes the Data Protection Bill. (Pixabay)

2/10 2. WhatsApp also said it will not limit users' functionality until the government passes the Data Protection Bill. (Pixabay)

3. However, speaking for WhatsApp, Senior Advocate Harish Salve, submitted that the messenger app will continue to show users the policy updates. (Pixabay)

3/10 3. However, speaking for WhatsApp, Senior Advocate Harish Salve, submitted that the messenger app will continue to show users the policy updates. (Pixabay)

4. The Court put certain questions to WhatsApp and said that there was an allegation that the platform wants to collect data and give it to others, remarking that such things cannot be done. The Court also sought to know whether there is a difference between the messaging platform's policy in India and Europe. (Pixabay)

4/10 4. The Court put certain questions to WhatsApp and said that there was an allegation that the platform wants to collect data and give it to others, remarking that such things cannot be done. The Court also sought to know whether there is a difference between the messaging platform's policy in India and Europe. (Pixabay)

5. Salve said, currently, the inquiry is over update and the messaging app will not do anything if the parliamentary law comes into force and says you can't share the data, as it needs to fit in the law. (Pixabay)

5/10 5. Salve said, currently, the inquiry is over update and the messaging app will not do anything if the parliamentary law comes into force and says you can't share the data, as it needs to fit in the law. (Pixabay)

6. Appearing for Facebook, WhatsApp's parent company, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi submitted that Facebook is only the parent company of WhatsApp and has been roped in for nothing. (Pixabay)

6/10 6. Appearing for Facebook, WhatsApp's parent company, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi submitted that Facebook is only the parent company of WhatsApp and has been roped in for nothing. (Pixabay)

WhatsApp Case The Court was hearing the petitions of WhatsApp and Facebook challenging the CCI order for an investigation into the messaging app's new privacy policy. The single bench of Delhi High Court on April 22 had dismissed Facebook and WhatsApp pleas challenging the CCI order for an investigation into the messaging app's new privacy policy. (Pixabay)

7/10 WhatsApp Case The Court was hearing the petitions of WhatsApp and Facebook challenging the CCI order for an investigation into the messaging app's new privacy policy. The single bench of Delhi High Court on April 22 had dismissed Facebook and WhatsApp pleas challenging the CCI order for an investigation into the messaging app's new privacy policy. (Pixabay)

WhatsApp and Facebook had challenged the March 24 order passed by CCI directing a probe into the new privacy policy and the probe should be completed within 60 days. Facebook and WhatsApp said that since the issue of WhatsApp's privacy policy is being heard by the Supreme Court, High Court, therefore, there was no requirement of CCI to order the probe. (Pixabay)

8/10 WhatsApp and Facebook had challenged the March 24 order passed by CCI directing a probe into the new privacy policy and the probe should be completed within 60 days. Facebook and WhatsApp said that since the issue of WhatsApp's privacy policy is being heard by the Supreme Court, High Court, therefore, there was no requirement of CCI to order the probe. (Pixabay)

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aman Lekhi, who represented CCI in the matter, had earlier told the court that the matter is not of privacy but access to data and the Competition is going to deal with metadata. (Pixabay)

9/10 Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aman Lekhi, who represented CCI in the matter, had earlier told the court that the matter is not of privacy but access to data and the Competition is going to deal with metadata. (Pixabay)

Delhi High Court was hearing Facebook and WhatsApp pleas challenging a single-judge bench order dismissing their pleas against the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) decision. (Pixabay)

10/10 Delhi High Court was hearing Facebook and WhatsApp pleas challenging a single-judge bench order dismissing their pleas against the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) decision. (Pixabay)