SC seeks Centre's response on PIL to ban use of Zoom video calling app

The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from the Central government on public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on the usage of 'Zoom' video conferencing application in the country claiming it breaches privacy.

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, Justice AS Bopanna and Justice Hrishikesh Roy issued notice to the Central government seeking its response on the matter.

The apex court sought the response on a petition, filed by one Harsh Chugh, seeking a ban on the usage of video conferencing application Zoom by Indian citizens until the formulation of appropriate legislation, claiming the app breaches privacy.

The plea contended that the software application poses a threat to the privacy of the individuals using it and also breaches cybersecurity.

It said that Zoom app is not safe and does not have end-to-end encryption and is violating the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009.

The CEO of ZoomVideo Communications has already apologised publicly and accepted the app to be faulty in terms of providing a secure environment digitally which is against the norms of cybersecurity, the plea said.

Chugh, in his plea, said that being a homemaker and remote worker, he is concerned about cases of hacking and cyber breaches, which are being incessantly reported.

The plea said that there is a need for legislation to be put in place in order to effectuate a standard regulation to safeguard the rights of citizens as has been brought to light by various leaders across the world.

"It is important to realise how Zoom consistently violates its duty to implement and maintain reasonable security practices and misleads consumers about the security benefits of the product. Zoom has targeted consumers, businesses, and schools," the plea said.

"Rather than lending a hand to people in need, Zoom violates the privacy of its millions of users by misusing and exploiting their personal information, and falsely, deceptively, and misleadingly advertising fictitious security benefits of the programme," it added.

( With inputs from ANI )