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The Hindu Editorial • February 09, 2026 • Read Original

Messaging power: on a healthy digital marketplace

The data sharing policies of WhatsApp must be scrutinised thoroughly

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The Hindu Read Original
8 min read

Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on February 09, 2026

Messaging power: on a healthy digital marketplace

The data sharing policies of WhatsApp must be scrutinised thoroughly

WhatsApp Privacy PolicyMeta PlatformsCompetition Commission of IndiaSupreme Court of IndiaDigital Competition LawUser Data Sharing
Sentences
Sentence 1 of 15
English Original

The Supreme Court of India, last week, sharply questioned Meta Platforms LLC and its messaging platform WhatsApp, in an appeal rooted in updates it made in 2021 around user data sharing with other Meta services such as Instagram and Facebook.

Simple Past S + Adjunct + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The Supreme Court of India
The highest judicial body in the country
Adjunct Additional info
last week
During the previous seven days
Verb What is happening
sharply questioned
Asked tough or critical questions to get clear answers
Object What receives action
Meta Platforms LLC and its messaging platform WhatsApp
The big tech company Meta and the chat app it owns
Adjunct Additional info
in an appeal rooted in updates it made in 2021 around user data sharing with other Meta services such as Instagram and Facebook
In a legal case that started because of changes WhatsApp made in 2021 to share user info with Facebook and Instagram
Context and Background
2021 Privacy Policy Controversy

In early 2021, WhatsApp announced a privacy policy update that would allow it to share certain user data with its parent company, Meta (then Facebook). This move was widely criticized in India as a “take-it-or-leave-it” ultimatum, leading to several legal challenges in High Courts and the Supreme Court over concerns about user privacy and data protection.

Sentence 2 of 15
English Original

The Court underscored the power that WhatsApp holds in India’s messaging ecosystem: it is practically impossible to reach everyone with a smartphone, coordinate groups, and undertake business communications without being on WhatsApp.

Simple Past S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause with Explanatory Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The Court
The Supreme Court of India
Verb What is happening
underscored
Highlighted or gave special importance to something
Object What receives action
the power that WhatsApp holds in India’s messaging ecosystem
The strong influence WhatsApp has over how people talk to each other online in India
Adjunct Additional info
it is practically impossible to reach everyone with a smartphone, coordinate groups, and undertake business communications without being on WhatsApp
It is almost impossible to talk to everyone, manage groups, or do business work if you don’t use WhatsApp
Context and Background
Dominance of WhatsApp in India

With over 500 million users, India is WhatsApp’s largest market. The app has become so essential that it is used not just for chatting, but for schooling, government services, and small business operations, making it extremely difficult for an average citizen to function without it.

Sentence 3 of 15
English Original

The app’s “network effect” has captured nearly every smartphone in the country.

Present Perfect S + V + O Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The app’s “network effect”
The way the app becomes more useful as more people join it
Verb What is happening
has captured
Has successfully reached or taken over
Object What receives action
nearly every smartphone in the country
Almost all mobile phones used in India
Context and Background
The Network Effect

The network effect is the main reason why certain apps become dominant. Since almost everyone in India is already on WhatsApp, new users feel compelled to join it to stay connected, making it difficult for competing apps to grow even if they offer better features.

Sentence 4 of 15
English Original

The precise background of the litigation that reached the Court is an appeal against a ₹213.14 crore penalty issued by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for abruptly amending its privacy policy, allowing the firm to share user data across its sister concerns, Facebook and Instagram.

Simple Present S + V + C Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The precise background of the litigation that reached the Court
The exact history of the legal case brought before the Supreme Court
Verb What is happening
is
Describes what something is
Complement Completes meaning
an appeal against a ₹213.14 crore penalty issued by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for abruptly amending its privacy policy, allowing the firm to share user data across its sister concerns, Facebook and Instagram
A challenge against a large fine by the CCI because WhatsApp suddenly changed its rules to share user information with Facebook and Instagram
Context and Background
CCI Penalty on WhatsApp

In 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) fined Meta ₹213.14 crore for abusing its dominant position in the messaging market. The CCI found that the 2021 policy update forced users to share data for advertising purposes across all Meta apps, which was unfair since users had no real way to “opt-out” while staying on the platform.

Sentence 5 of 15
English Original

Users were prompted at that time to accept the terms or cease using the service.

Simple Past (Passive Voice) S + V + Adjunct + Complement Main Clause (Passive) Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Users
People who use the WhatsApp application
Verb What is happening
were prompted
Were officially asked or told to do something through a notification
Adjunct Additional info
at that time
Back in 2021 when the changes were introduced
Complement Completes meaning
to accept the terms or cease using the service
To agree to the new rules or stop using the app completely
Sentence 6 of 15
English Original

This ultimatum was problematic, and understandably drew pushback from civil society, the government, and the CCI.

Simple Past S + V + C + Adjunct + V + O Main Clause with Compound Predicate Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
This ultimatum
The final demand to accept the rules or leave the app
Verb What is happening
was
Describes a state in the past
Complement Completes meaning
problematic
Full of issues or causing worry
Verb What is happening
understandably drew
Naturally caused people to react against it
Object What receives action
pushback from civil society, the government, and the CCI
Strong opposition from common people’s groups, the Indian government, and the competition regulator
Sentence 7 of 15
English Original

Nobody argues that WhatsApp must not earn money for a service that has been transformative for communications in India.

Simple Present S + V + O Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Nobody
No person or organization
Verb What is happening
argues
Says or claims as a reason
Object What receives action
that WhatsApp must not earn money for a service that has been transformative for communications in India
The idea that WhatsApp shouldn’t make profit for a tool that completely changed how Indians talk to each other
Sentence 8 of 15
English Original

Owing to its parent’s massive scale of operations, WhatsApp has been able to offer messaging, multimedia sharing, telephony — services that were until 2016 prohibitively priced by telecom operators — for free, with only an Internet connection and a phone number as a pre-requisite.

Present Perfect Adjunct + S + V + O + Adjunct + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
Owing to its parent’s massive scale of operations
Because the company that owns it (Meta) is so huge and does business globally
Subject Who/What
WhatsApp
The messaging app being discussed
Verb What is happening
has been able to offer
Has had the capability to provide
Object What receives action
messaging, multimedia sharing, telephony — services that were until 2016 prohibitively priced by telecom operators —
Texting, sending videos/photos, and calling, which were very expensive before 2016 on older phone services
Adjunct Additional info
for free
Without charging any money
Adjunct Additional info
with only an Internet connection and a phone number as a pre-requisite
Needing just a simple data connection and a mobile number to start
Context and Background
2016 Telecom Revolution in India

Before 2016, mobile users in India paid high rates for voice calls and SMS. The entry of Reliance Jio provided extremely cheap data, which allowed WhatsApp to become the primary tool for communication, replacing traditional, expensive telecom services for millions of Indians.

Sentence 9 of 15
English Original

WhatsApp’s enthusiastic adoption of end-to-end encryption also furthered a societal expectation for secure communications as a norm, in a country where telecommunications has always been subjected to excessive executive-led surveillance.

Simple Past S + Adjunct + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause with Relative Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
WhatsApp’s enthusiastic adoption of end-to-end encryption
WhatsApp’s quick decision to use a system where only the sender and receiver can read messages
Adjunct Additional info
also
In addition to other things
Verb What is happening
furthered
Helped to develop or promote something
Object What receives action
a societal expectation for secure communications as a norm
The idea among people that private chatting should always be safe and secret
Adjunct Additional info
in a country where telecommunications has always been subjected to excessive executive-led surveillance
In India, where the government has a history of monitoring phone calls and messages too much
Context and Background
Surveillance and Privacy in India

India’s telegraph and IT laws give the government broad powers to monitor communications for national security. However, these powers are often criticized for lack of transparency. Strong encryption in apps like WhatsApp became a major “privacy shield” for Indian citizens against such government monitoring.

Sentence 10 of 15
English Original

What is equally true is that WhatsApp is so deeply embedded in Indian society that its transition to an advertising model, where it would start making money here, deserves the highest scrutiny.

Simple Present S + V + C Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
What is equally true
Another fact that is just as important as the previous ones
Verb What is happening
is
Describes the state of things
Complement Completes meaning
that WhatsApp is so deeply embedded in Indian society that its transition to an advertising model, where it would start making money here, deserves the highest scrutiny
That WhatsApp is so much a part of Indian life that when it starts showing ads and making money, we must check it very carefully
Sentence 11 of 15
English Original

Competition regulators, including in India, have frowned upon ubiquitous platforms that present users with ultimatums that they can scarcely refuse.

Present Perfect S + V + O Main Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Competition regulators, including in India
Government agencies (like the CCI) that make sure companies compete fairly
Verb What is happening
have frowned upon
Have shown disapproval or dislike toward something
Object What receives action
ubiquitous platforms that present users with ultimatums that they can scarcely refuse
Apps that are everywhere (like WhatsApp) and give users final choices that are hard to reject
Sentence 12 of 15
English Original

There are free alternatives to WhatsApp that work just as well — Signal, Telegram and even Arattai from Zoho are serviceable — but they lack what makes the Meta product so valuable: the guarantee that virtually everyone one knows is on it.

Simple Present Compound Sentence Independent Clauses Compound-Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
free alternatives to WhatsApp that work just as well — Signal, Telegram and even Arattai from Zoho are serviceable —
Other apps you can use for free instead of WhatsApp, like Signal or Telegram, which are good enough to use
Verb What is happening
lack
Do not have something that is needed
Object What receives action
what makes the Meta product so valuable: the guarantee that virtually everyone one knows is on it
The main thing that makes WhatsApp useful: the certainty that almost every person you know is already using it
Context and Background
Messaging Competitors in India

Apps like Signal and Telegram offer better privacy features than WhatsApp, and Zoho’s Arattai provides a homegrown Indian alternative. However, due to the “network effect,” these apps struggle to replace WhatsApp because users don’t want to switch to a platform where their contacts aren’t present.

Sentence 13 of 15
English Original

Allowing users to “opt out” of data sharing is an inappropriate remedy for services at WhatsApp’s scale, because the power of the default option at that scale leaves far too many with no real, informed choice in the matter.

Simple Present S + V + C + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Allowing users to “opt out” of data sharing
Giving users a button to say ‘no’ to sharing their personal info
Verb What is happening
is
Describes what something is
Complement Completes meaning
an inappropriate remedy for services at WhatsApp’s scale
A solution that doesn’t work well for an app with millions of users
Adjunct Additional info
because the power of the default option at that scale leaves far too many with no real, informed choice in the matter
Because most people just use the standard settings and don’t really understand or change them
Context and Background
The Power of Default Settings

When a setting is “on” by default, most users never change it. In a massive application like WhatsApp, keeping data sharing as the default ensures that the majority of users end up allowing their data to be shared, often without fully realizing it.

Sentence 14 of 15
English Original

The Court’s thoughts on this matter are correct, but they need to be supported by a digital competition law, a draft of which was released in 2024, but has seen little progress since.

Simple Present Compound Sentence Independent Clauses Compound-Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The Court’s thoughts on this matter
The opinions and statements made by the Supreme Court about this issue
Verb What is happening
are
Describes a state or fact
Complement Completes meaning
correct
Right or accurate
Verb What is happening
need to be supported
Must be given strength or legal backing
Adjunct Additional info
by a digital competition law, a draft of which was released in 2024, but has seen little progress since
By a new set of rules for internet companies that was first shared in 2024 but hasn’t moved forward much since then
Context and Background
Digital Competition Bill 2024

In 2024, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs released a draft of the Digital Competition Bill. It was designed to proactively solve problems like unfair data sharing by large tech platforms, but the bill has faced delays in Parliament due to consultations and debates among stakeholders.

Sentence 15 of 15
English Original

As India approaches a billion Internet users, that law is needed to protect and foster a healthy digital marketplace.

Simple Present (Passive Voice) Adjunct + S + V + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
As India approaches a billion Internet users
While India gets close to having 100 crore people using the internet
Subject Who/What
that law
The digital competition rules discussed earlier
Verb What is happening
is needed
Is required or necessary right now
Adjunct Additional info
to protect and foster a healthy digital marketplace
To keep the online market safe and help it grow in a fair and good way
Sentence 1 of 15
Sentence 1 of 15
The Supreme Court of India, last week, sharply questioned Meta Platforms LLC and its messaging platform WhatsApp, in an appeal rooted in updates it made in 2021 around user data sharing with other Meta services such as Instagram and Facebook.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The Supreme Court of India
The highest judicial body in the country
Adjunct
last week
During the previous seven days
Verb
sharply questioned
Asked tough or critical questions to get clear answers
Object
Meta Platforms LLC and its messaging platform WhatsApp
The big tech company Meta and the chat app it owns
Adjunct
in an appeal rooted in updates it made in 2021 around user data sharing with other Meta services such as Instagram and Facebook
In a legal case that started because of changes WhatsApp made in 2021 to share user info with Facebook and Instagram
Sentence 2 of 15
The Court underscored the power that WhatsApp holds in India’s messaging ecosystem: it is practically impossible to reach everyone with a smartphone, coordinate groups, and undertake business communications without being on WhatsApp.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The Court
The Supreme Court of India
Verb
underscored
Highlighted or gave special importance to something
Object
the power that WhatsApp holds in India’s messaging ecosystem
The strong influence WhatsApp has over how people talk to each other online in India
Adjunct
it is practically impossible to reach everyone with a smartphone, coordinate groups, and undertake business communications without being on WhatsApp
It is almost impossible to talk to everyone, manage groups, or do business work if you don’t use WhatsApp
Sentence 3 of 15
The app’s “network effect” has captured nearly every smartphone in the country.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The app’s “network effect”
The way the app becomes more useful as more people join it
Verb
has captured
Has successfully reached or taken over
Object
nearly every smartphone in the country
Almost all mobile phones used in India
Sentence 4 of 15
The precise background of the litigation that reached the Court is an appeal against a ₹213.14 crore penalty issued by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for abruptly amending its privacy policy, allowing the firm to share user data across its sister concerns, Facebook and Instagram.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The precise background of the litigation that reached the Court
The exact history of the legal case brought before the Supreme Court
Verb
is
Describes what something is
Complement
an appeal against a ₹213.14 crore penalty issued by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for abruptly amending its privacy policy, allowing the firm to share user data across its sister concerns, Facebook and Instagram
A challenge against a large fine by the CCI because WhatsApp suddenly changed its rules to share user information with Facebook and Instagram
Sentence 5 of 15
Users were prompted at that time to accept the terms or cease using the service.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Users
People who use the WhatsApp application
Verb
were prompted
Were officially asked or told to do something through a notification
Adjunct
at that time
Back in 2021 when the changes were introduced
Complement
to accept the terms or cease using the service
To agree to the new rules or stop using the app completely
Sentence 6 of 15
This ultimatum was problematic, and understandably drew pushback from civil society, the government, and the CCI.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
This ultimatum
The final demand to accept the rules or leave the app
Verb
was
Describes a state in the past
Complement
problematic
Full of issues or causing worry
Verb
understandably drew
Naturally caused people to react against it
Object
pushback from civil society, the government, and the CCI
Strong opposition from common people’s groups, the Indian government, and the competition regulator
Sentence 7 of 15
Nobody argues that WhatsApp must not earn money for a service that has been transformative for communications in India.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Nobody
No person or organization
Verb
argues
Says or claims as a reason
Object
that WhatsApp must not earn money for a service that has been transformative for communications in India
The idea that WhatsApp shouldn’t make profit for a tool that completely changed how Indians talk to each other
Sentence 8 of 15
Owing to its parent’s massive scale of operations, WhatsApp has been able to offer messaging, multimedia sharing, telephony — services that were until 2016 prohibitively priced by telecom operators — for free, with only an Internet connection and a phone number as a pre-requisite.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Owing to its parent’s massive scale of operations
Because the company that owns it (Meta) is so huge and does business globally
Subject
WhatsApp
The messaging app being discussed
Verb
has been able to offer
Has had the capability to provide
Object
messaging, multimedia sharing, telephony — services that were until 2016 prohibitively priced by telecom operators —
Texting, sending videos/photos, and calling, which were very expensive before 2016 on older phone services
Adjunct
for free
Without charging any money
Adjunct
with only an Internet connection and a phone number as a pre-requisite
Needing just a simple data connection and a mobile number to start
Sentence 9 of 15
WhatsApp’s enthusiastic adoption of end-to-end encryption also furthered a societal expectation for secure communications as a norm, in a country where telecommunications has always been subjected to excessive executive-led surveillance.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
WhatsApp’s enthusiastic adoption of end-to-end encryption
WhatsApp’s quick decision to use a system where only the sender and receiver can read messages
Adjunct
also
In addition to other things
Verb
furthered
Helped to develop or promote something
Object
a societal expectation for secure communications as a norm
The idea among people that private chatting should always be safe and secret
Adjunct
in a country where telecommunications has always been subjected to excessive executive-led surveillance
In India, where the government has a history of monitoring phone calls and messages too much
Sentence 10 of 15
What is equally true is that WhatsApp is so deeply embedded in Indian society that its transition to an advertising model, where it would start making money here, deserves the highest scrutiny.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
What is equally true
Another fact that is just as important as the previous ones
Verb
is
Describes the state of things
Complement
that WhatsApp is so deeply embedded in Indian society that its transition to an advertising model, where it would start making money here, deserves the highest scrutiny
That WhatsApp is so much a part of Indian life that when it starts showing ads and making money, we must check it very carefully
Sentence 11 of 15
Competition regulators, including in India, have frowned upon ubiquitous platforms that present users with ultimatums that they can scarcely refuse.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Competition regulators, including in India
Government agencies (like the CCI) that make sure companies compete fairly
Verb
have frowned upon
Have shown disapproval or dislike toward something
Object
ubiquitous platforms that present users with ultimatums that they can scarcely refuse
Apps that are everywhere (like WhatsApp) and give users final choices that are hard to reject
Sentence 12 of 15
There are free alternatives to WhatsApp that work just as well — Signal, Telegram and even Arattai from Zoho are serviceable — but they lack what makes the Meta product so valuable: the guarantee that virtually everyone one knows is on it.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
free alternatives to WhatsApp that work just as well — Signal, Telegram and even Arattai from Zoho are serviceable —
Other apps you can use for free instead of WhatsApp, like Signal or Telegram, which are good enough to use
Verb
lack
Do not have something that is needed
Object
what makes the Meta product so valuable: the guarantee that virtually everyone one knows is on it
The main thing that makes WhatsApp useful: the certainty that almost every person you know is already using it
Sentence 13 of 15
Allowing users to “opt out” of data sharing is an inappropriate remedy for services at WhatsApp’s scale, because the power of the default option at that scale leaves far too many with no real, informed choice in the matter.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Allowing users to “opt out” of data sharing
Giving users a button to say ‘no’ to sharing their personal info
Verb
is
Describes what something is
Complement
an inappropriate remedy for services at WhatsApp’s scale
A solution that doesn’t work well for an app with millions of users
Adjunct
because the power of the default option at that scale leaves far too many with no real, informed choice in the matter
Because most people just use the standard settings and don’t really understand or change them
Sentence 14 of 15
The Court’s thoughts on this matter are correct, but they need to be supported by a digital competition law, a draft of which was released in 2024, but has seen little progress since.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The Court’s thoughts on this matter
The opinions and statements made by the Supreme Court about this issue
Verb
are
Describes a state or fact
Complement
correct
Right or accurate
Verb
need to be supported
Must be given strength or legal backing
Adjunct
by a digital competition law, a draft of which was released in 2024, but has seen little progress since
By a new set of rules for internet companies that was first shared in 2024 but hasn’t moved forward much since then
Sentence 15 of 15
As India approaches a billion Internet users, that law is needed to protect and foster a healthy digital marketplace.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
As India approaches a billion Internet users
While India gets close to having 100 crore people using the internet
Subject
that law
The digital competition rules discussed earlier
Verb
is needed
Is required or necessary right now
Adjunct
to protect and foster a healthy digital marketplace
To keep the online market safe and help it grow in a fair and good way

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - Messaging Power and Digital Marketplace

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about WhatsApp's data-sharing policies and the need for a digital competition law in India.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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