Piyush Bhasarkar
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In a recent landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has issued a significant ‘warning’ for prepaid mobile users who plan to change their mobile numbers. The verdict has far-reaching implications not only for mobile service providers but also for WhatsApp users who are unaware of the potential risks associated with changing their numbers.
What the Supreme Court Stated
The Supreme Court’s ruling emphasizes that mobile service providers, including Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea, have the right to reallocate deactivated or disconnected numbers to new subscribers.
This reallocation can occur after a specific statutory period, which is set at 90 days. This decision places the responsibility on subscribers to ensure the security of their data shared on WhatsApp or other platforms.
Taking Control of Your WhatsApp Data
The Supreme Court has made it clear that subscribers should take proactive measures to prevent the misuse of their WhatsApp data when changing their mobile numbers.
The onus is on the user to delete their WhatsApp account linked to the previous phone number and erase all WhatsApp data stored on the local device memory, cloud, or drive. This critical step is vital for maintaining privacy and data security during the transition.
Dismissal of a Petition Seeking a Ban
A petition seeking a ban on the issuance of deactivated mobile numbers to new customers was dismissed by the Supreme Court. The bench, led by Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, clarified that mobile numbers deactivated for non-usage or disconnected at the subscriber’s request would not be allocated to a new subscriber for a minimum period of 90 days, in line with regulations set by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
Insights into Regulatory Measures
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) plays a significant role in this scenario. Trai has conveyed that mobile numbers deactivated for non-usage or disconnection should not be allocated to new subscribers for at least 90 days, as stipulated by the DoT.
Moreover, Trai maintains a Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL) to enhance transparency and efficiency, allowing various stakeholders, including banks and financial institutions, to clean up their databases and prevent OTPs from reaching unintended recipients.
WhatsApp’s Data Retention Policy
WhatsApp, in response to the evolving landscape of mobile number allocation, has stated that to ensure security, limit data retention, and protect user privacy, WhatsApp accounts are typically deleted after 120 days of inactivity.
However, locally stored content on a user’s device before account deletion will persist until WhatsApp is removed from the device. When a user re-registers with the same device, their locally stored content will be reinstated.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s ruling and the regulatory measures implemented by Trai underscore the importance of data security and user responsibility in the context of changing mobile numbers. WhatsApp users are strongly advised to take the necessary steps to protect their data, ensuring a seamless transition while preserving their privacy and sensitive information.
This verdict serves as a reminder that in the age of digital communication, staying vigilant is essential to safeguarding one’s digital presence.
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