Meta responds to antitrust fine over WhatsApp data
WhatsApp users in India were not forced to accept data-sharing under the contested privacy update, Meta claims.
Meta Platforms is challenging a decision by India’s Competition Commission (CCI) over WhatsApp’s data-sharing practices. The regulator imposed a $25.4 million fine and restricted data-sharing between WhatsApp and other Meta-owned applications for five years, citing antitrust violations linked to the 2021 privacy policy.
The investigation began in March 2021 after WhatsApp introduced a controversial privacy policy enabling data transfers within Meta’s ecosystem. The CCI ruled that WhatsApp must not condition access to its services on user agreement to share personal data for advertising purposes.
Meta maintains the privacy policy does not affect the confidentiality of personal messages. A spokesperson emphasised no user accounts were deleted or had functionality reduced due to the update, underscoring its commitment to user privacy.
The company plans to legally challenge the CCI’s decision, reiterating its stance that the policy complies with privacy standards. The dispute highlights the growing scrutiny of global tech companies’ practices in India, one of the largest digital markets.
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