“WhatsApp Faces Potential Sanctions from India’s CCI Over Controversial Privacy Policy Update Linked to Meta Data Sharing”
"WhatsApp Faces Potential Sanctions from India's CCI Over Controversial Privacy Policy Update Linked to Meta Data Sharing"
WhatsApp is reportedly facing possible sanctions from India’s competition watchdog due to its privacy policy update. A report from Livemint indicates that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) is likely to take action against WhatsApp for breaching the country’s antitrust laws.
The criticism surrounding WhatsApp’s privacy policy update stems from its announcement in 2021, which allowed the app to share certain user data with its parent company, Meta (formerly known as Facebook). The report suggests that the CCI’s decision is a result of the backlash against WhatsApp’s controversial update to its privacy policy and terms of service, which generated significant concern among users and regulators.
The report cites unnamed sources indicating that the CCI has found that WhatsApp’s alleged practice of sharing users’ business transaction data with Meta gives it an unfair competitive advantage. The director general of investigation (DG) for the CCI has submitted a report stating that both WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta, have violated competition laws that prohibit the abuse of dominance. Additionally, a draft order has been prepared to penalize the companies for these alleged violations, and it is expected to be finalized and issued to them shortly, according to the report.
WhatsApp responded through a spokesperson, stating that the CCI proceedings are currently sub-judice, meaning they cannot comment on the matter. The spokesperson also noted that users were given the option to accept the Privacy Policy Update, and those who decided against it can still use WhatsApp to communicate with friends and family without facing account deletion or loss of functionality.
