The Supreme Court of India has issued a crucial warning to WhatsApp users, particularly those utilizing prepaid mobile numbers and regarding changing their phone numbers. The court’s decision holds significant implications for users of the popular messaging platform, as it underscores the importance of safeguarding their privacy between the contribution of deactivated mobile numbers by service providers such as Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea.
The apex court’s ruling statement clarifies that mobile service providers have the legal authority to reassign deactivated numbers to new subscribers after a specific waiting period, setting with the guidelines established by the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) in April 2017. According to these guidelines, a mobile number that has been deactivated due to non-usage or at the subscriber’s request should not be reallocated to a new subscriber for at least 90 days. This waiting period allows the previous subscriber enough time to protect their privacy before the number is reassigned.
The court’s decision stems from a petition filed by advocate Rajeshwari, driving the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to instruct mobile service providers to refrain from assigning deactivated mobile numbers to new customers. However, the bench, led by Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, dismissed the petition. The court highlighted that it is the responsibility of the earlier subscriber to take proactive steps to ensure the privacy of their WhatsApp data. Users are advised to delete their WhatsApp accounts attached to their previous phone numbers and erase all related data stored on local devices, cloud services, or drives before making the switch to a new number.
The court highlighted the existence of the Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL), a digitally signed record containing permanently disconnected mobile numbers. This list serves as a vital tool for maintaining transparency and efficiency, enabling various entities such as service providers, banks, and non-banking financial institutions to avoid sending sensitive information like One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to unexpected recipients.
The Supreme Court’s ruling highlighted the balance between subscriber privacy and efficient number allocation practices. It reaffirms the legal rights of mobile service providers to reassign deactivated numbers after a 90-day period, while simultaneously promoting WhatsApp users to take proactive measures to protect their data. By arranging with the Dot’s guidelines and accepting the significance of the MNRL, the decision ensures that users can maintain their privacy in an era of rapidly changing mobile numbers and evolving communication technologies.
