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India’s top court questions WhatsApp data sharing with Meta

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India’s Supreme Court has warned it could reinstate restrictions on WhatsApp sharing user data with other Meta entities, raising fresh concerns over privacy and consent. During a hearing on Tuesday, the chief justice said WhatsApp’s privacy policy appeared to be designed in a way that could mislead users, particularly those with limited digital literacy.

The case stems from a 2024 ruling by India’s antitrust authority, which fined WhatsApp $25.4 million and barred data sharing for advertising purposes for five years. An appeals court later lifted the data-sharing ban while keeping the fine, prompting both sides to approach the Supreme Court.

India is Meta’s largest market by users, and WhatsApp has argued that restrictions could force it to roll back features. The Supreme Court did not issue a final decision and is expected to continue hearings next week.

FTC Appeals Ruling in Meta Antitrust Case Over Instagram, WhatsApp Deals

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The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has appealed a court ruling that dismissed its antitrust case against Meta Platforms, seeking to revive claims that the company illegally built monopoly power by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp. The FTC said its position remains unchanged despite last year’s dismissal.

The agency argues that Meta’s purchases of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 harmed competition by eliminating emerging rivals. It has asked the courts to reconsider forcing a potential breakup or divestment of the platforms. Meta was sued in 2020, years after regulators initially approved the deals.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled in November that Meta does not currently hold a monopoly, citing strong competition from platforms such as TikTok. Meta said the decision correctly reflects the competitive landscape and said it will continue investing and innovating in the United States.

Meta Turning a Blind Eye to Illegal Gambling Ads, UK Regulator Says

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Britain’s Gambling Commission has accused Meta Platforms of failing to act against illegal online gambling advertisements appearing on its platforms, alleging the company continues to profit from unlawful activity.

Speaking at the ICE Barcelona trade show, Gambling Commission executive director Tim Miller said illegal casino ads are widely visible on Meta-owned platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. He argued that many of these ads promote gambling websites that are not registered with the UK’s GamStop self-exclusion scheme, which allows users to block themselves from online gambling services.

Miller rejected Meta’s claim that it only becomes aware of such ads after being notified, calling that assertion “simply false.” He said Meta’s own searchable advertising library clearly shows advertisers declaring their sites are “Not on GamStop,” adding that if regulators can identify them, Meta can as well.

“It could leave you with the impression they are quite happy to turn a blind eye and continue taking money from criminals and scammers,” Miller said, accusing the company of choosing not to look.

In response, Meta said it enforces strict advertising policies on gambling and gaming and removes ads that violate its rules once identified. A spokesperson said the company is working closely with the Gambling Commission to remove flagged ads and improve proactive detection tools, urging continued cooperation to protect users and legitimate advertisers.

The dispute highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of how major social media platforms monitor and control advertising linked to illegal activities.