Indian Antitrust Watchdog Slaps $26 Million Fine on Meta Over WhatsApp Privacy Policy.
In a major blow to tech giant Meta, formerly known as Facebook, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a massive penalty of ₹213.14 crore (approximately $26 million) on the company over its WhatsApp privacy policy updates.
The Indian antitrust regulator has accused Meta of engaging in unfair business practices and has directed the company to cease its anti-competitive behavior within a defined timeline.
The CCI’s decision stems from the controversial changes made to WhatsApp’s privacy policy in 2021, which raised concerns about user data sharing with other Meta-owned platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.
According to the regulator, Meta’s move to make it mandatory for WhatsApp users to share their data with other company products was an abuse of the messaging app’s dominant position in the market.
In response to the CCI’s decision, a Meta spokesperson has strongly refuted the accusations, stating that the 2021 privacy policy update “did not change the privacy of people’s messages” and was merely an optional feature to introduce business-centric functionalities.
The spokesperson also emphasized that the company ensured that no user would have their accounts deleted or lose access to WhatsApp’s services due to the policy change.
However, the CCI has remained steadfast in its stance and has directed Meta to refrain from sharing user data with other company products for advertising purposes for the next five years.
The ruling comes at a time when technology companies are facing increasing scrutiny over their data collection and usage practices, particularly in the wake of growing consumer concerns about privacy and data protection.
The CCI’s decision underscores the regulator’s efforts to maintain a delicate balance between protecting user interests and allowing tech giants to innovate and expand their business offerings.
