New Delhi/New York: Meta Platforms expressed its disagreement on Tuesday with an order issued by India’s competition watchdog, which imposed restrictions on data sharing between WhatsApp and other Meta-owned applications. Meta confirmed it would mount a legal challenge against the ruling.
On Monday, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) directed WhatsApp to cease sharing user data for advertising purposes with other Meta-owned apps for the next five years. In addition, the U.S.-based tech giant was fined $25.4 million for antitrust violations related to WhatsApp’s privacy policy update in 2021.
The 2021 Privacy Policy and Antitrust Concerns
The CCI’s investigation into WhatsApp’s privacy policy update began in March 2021, after the policy introduced data-sharing between Meta and its subsidiaries. The policy change sparked global backlash, especially concerning user privacy and the scope of data-sharing.
On Monday, the CCI stated:
“Sharing of user data collected on WhatsApp with other Meta companies… for purposes other than for providing WhatsApp service shall not be made a condition for users to access WhatsApp Service in India.”
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Meta’s Response
In response, a Meta spokesperson emphasized that the 2021 privacy policy update did not alter the privacy of personal messages on WhatsApp. The spokesperson further clarified:
“We also ensured no one would have their accounts deleted or lose functionality of the WhatsApp service because of this update.”
Meta’s legal challenge to the ruling comes as the company seeks to avoid restrictions that could affect its business model in India, a critical market for WhatsApp and its other platforms.
