Meta to Challenge India Antitrust Order on WhatsApp Data Sharing

Meta Disagrees with India’s CCI Ruling and Plans Legal Action

Meta Platforms (META.O) has announced its intention to mount a legal challenge against an order from India’s Competition Commission (CCI), which imposes restrictions on data-sharing between WhatsApp and other Meta-owned applications. The CCI’s decision, which also includes a $25.4 million fine, stems from antitrust violations linked to WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update.

CCI’s Restrictions and Fine

The CCI directed WhatsApp to cease sharing user data for advertising purposes with other Meta-owned platforms for five years. This decision follows an investigation that began in March 2021 into WhatsApp’s privacy policy, which allowed data sharing between WhatsApp and other Meta services. The policy update sparked significant global concern, leading to the antitrust investigation.

The CCI’s ruling prohibits Meta from making user data sharing a condition for accessing WhatsApp services in India.

Meta’s Response

Meta has strongly disagreed with the CCI’s ruling. A spokesperson for the company clarified that the 2021 privacy policy update did not alter the privacy of users’ personal messages on WhatsApp. Furthermore, Meta assured that no users would lose access to their accounts or the functionality of WhatsApp as a result of the update. Meta plans to challenge the CCI’s decision in court.