By Erick This week we get yet another reminder on the importance of privacy – and that your WhatsApp chats are NOT private. Also there’s some sort of deal signed with the US that really means nothing.
Btw – I am sorry this week’s TWITI (article, video, podcast AND substack) is so late. I was sick, am feeling a lot better, thank you guys for checking in. 🫶🏼
SC slams Meta on WhatsApp privacy policy
Why are there people out there who still think that WhatsApp chats are private?
First, the context. In 2021, WhatsApp pushed out a privacy update they thought no one would notice. The update was insinuating that WhatsApp will share user data with other Meta platforms, very clearly for targeted advertising. They were wrong, we noticed the update. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLAT) and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) fined WhatsApp a penalty of â‚ą 213 crores.
Now, the news. And this is good news. Meta thought they could appeal the NCLAT and CCI’s judgement. In return, the Supreme Court SLAMMED Meta on what was clearly a disdain for privacy. The court clearly said they were making a mockery of privacy in the country.
“We will not allow you to share even a single information. You cannot play with the rights of this country. Let a clear message go on your WhatsApp,” said Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, presiding over a three-judge bench.
My favorite part of all this? WhatsApp’s attorney tried to argue that data sharing is only with the consent of the consumer, and that users can “opt out”. In response, the bench said WhatsApp could “opt out” of the country. Lol. Seriously though, the bench caught WhatsApp’s bluff because as a privacy consultant I’ll tell you that if you take privacy seriously, your default will be opt-in rather than implicit consent with opt-out. Let me know if you’d like me to explain this in a separate post.
There’s a bit of a dark side to this still. In 2024, the CCI also instructed WhatsApp that it could not share WhatsApp data with other Meta platforms for any purpose. In January 2025, a tribunal set aside this order which meant WhatsApp could do so. But now, the CCI appealed this order. Hopefully the CCI wins this appeal, so WhatsApp is forced to STOP sharing WhatsApp data with all of Meta.
Looking back the last (almost) 20 years, WhatsApp became the dominant messaging platform at a time when BBM was fading away and SMS were still charging for sharing any rich media. And in 2014, it was bought by Meta (then Facebook) for what was then an ungodly amount of money. WhatsApp then became a monopoly in India. This was referenced by the judges in the SC hearing.
Now, we have other alternatives – Telegram, Signal, etc. Even homegrown alternative in Arattai. And no, none of them are sponsoring this post. I’m writing this from my own opinions and judgement, supported by your readership. Yay.
US Announced Reduced Tariffs for Indian Goods
Trump levied 25% punitive tariffs on India in August last year, and Trump cronies were saying that India could get that waived “if Modi had just called”. Guess Modi called?
Whatever, I just want to say there’s nothing about tech in this deal. And it’s a non-deal really. Let’s move on.
Zupee Lays Off and Acquires Microdrama Startup at the Same Time
Former gambling platform (too sensitive?) Zupee announced its second round of layoffs, this time affecting 200 employees. That makes in 370 layoffs in total. Of course, they blame the real money gaming ban from 2025.
However, there is reporting from Inc42 that Zupee has acquired a microdrama startup – its second acquisition since the RMG ban (the first being an Australian AI video startup). The acquisition is valued at 40 crores and the name of the startup is not revealed. This aligns with Zupee’s apparent longer-term strategy of becoming a vertical video platform. Its Zupee Studio app does already have lakhs of downloads. Let me know if you have used the app.
Google secured Additional Office Space in Bangalore
Tech giant Google – who I maintain wants to expand its presence in India to get all our data (see this short video) – has secured an additional 20,000 sq ft office space in Bangalore.
This move apparently is not just to further cement its place in India. It is also – apparently – to work around Trump’s new H1B restrictions.
Guess India is cheap data and also cheap labour. Sigh. We should atleast do what China did and in the long run develop our own Google(s) and Apple(s) and Anthropic(s) and Electric Cars in the long run.
Apple May Open Seventh Retail Store in India
In Hyderabad this time. This is not confirmed, but signs for this are that Apple is hiring for positions like Store Leader and Genius (the term it gives to its Sales helpers) to be based in Hyderabad.
Just last week I said that Apple’s physical store is an experience (see TWITI #5 of 2026) sold by Apple to basically sell more stuff. That’s why Apple’s physical retail stores are kind of a big deal. I mean, they invented the term “Genius Bar”.
By the way, Apple launches a new Apple Education Hub for supplier employees, its first in India. Specifically, Apple launches new education hub in collaboration with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). Cool. Did you know that Apple has a global $50 million Supplier Employee Development Fund?
India May Be in Talks with Chinese Alipay+ to Link Payment Systems
Reuters reported that India is in talks with China-related Ant International to allow digital payments platform Alipay+ to be linked to India’s leading instant payments system for cross-border transactions.
The move enable us to use UPI with merchants in countries that have signed up with Alipay+, not just in China.
Bharat Taxi Launched
The Government backed taxi service that was announced in 2025 (see TWITI #51 of 2025) has been launched in Delhi and is available in 10 metro stations. This is still billed as the nation’s first cooperative taxi platform. It promises a cooperative based economic models while ensuring fair and transparent service delivery.
Gig Worker Unions Meet Rahul Gandhi To Flag Need For Legislation
A delegation of transport and delivery gig worker unions met opposition leader Rahul Gandhi to push for a central legislation, which they say is in some Congress led states.
Word of the Week: Saasocalypse
Lol.
IT company stocks like Infosys, TCS and Wipro (who, along with Cognizant, I call the Big4 of Bodybags) tanked last week, dragging the whole stock market down with them. The reason? Anthropic released Claude Cowork. And investors feared that AI will replace humans that work for these companies.
There’s so much to unpack here, this deserves its own post. Stay tuned.
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