Meta has announced plans to appeal the Rs 213-crore fine imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) concerning its 2021 WhatsApp privacy policy update. This penalty stems from CCI’s findings that the update compelled users to share data with Meta’s other platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, without an opt-out option, allegedly leveraging WhatsApp’s dominant market position in India’s messaging space and Meta’s in digital advertising.
The CCI’s ruling requires Meta and WhatsApp to halt data sharing for advertising purposes across its platforms for five years and calls for additional steps to address anti-competitive practices. Among these measures, CCI mandated WhatsApp to provide clear options for users to manage data sharing, including a prominent opt-out feature through an in-app notification for both existing and future users.
Meta disagrees with this decision, stating that the 2021 update was aimed at introducing optional business features and did not alter privacy for personal messages. According to Meta, users were given the choice to adopt the update, with no risk of losing WhatsApp functionality if they opted out. Meta’s spokesperson emphasized the importance of WhatsApp’s role in connecting individuals and supporting businesses in India, which they believe depends on integration with Meta’s services. Meta will pursue an appeal to safeguard its approach, arguing that user trust and choice have always been priorities in its policy implementation.
This case highlights India’s increasing regulatory scrutiny on data practices and competition in the digital sector, echoing actions by other global authorities questioning Meta’s data-sharing policies.
