For many years, Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp, has treated user data like a byproduct—something extra that can be collected and used to make money through advertising.
But on February 3, 2026, India’s Supreme Court suggested a different view: calling it more like theft.
During a hearing that could change the way the internet works in India, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant questioned whether “consent” is meaningful in today’s world dominated by tech monopolies.
The court said that even if users agree to share data, that “choice” may be forced because of Meta’s dominant position. These observations go beyond privacy alone—they challenge Meta’s business model, asking whether its market power makes sharing personal data effectively coercive.
This ruling could have big implications for how tech companies operate in India and possibly around the world, particularly regarding user privacy and data protection.