Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, disagrees with the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) decision to impose a Rs 213.14 crore fine. This penalty follows WhatsApp’s privacy policy update in 2021. Meta plans to appeal the decision.
Meta’s Response to the Fine
A Meta spokesperson clarified that the 2021 update did not affect the privacy of personal messages. “The update was optional, and it did not cause account deletions or limit WhatsApp’s functionality,” they said. Meta explained that the update aimed to provide more transparency about data collection and introduced optional business features.
Meta also highlighted WhatsApp’s role in helping users and businesses. The platform supported government services during COVID-19 and aided small businesses, which boosted the Indian economy. “WhatsApp is able to offer these services with support from Meta. We are committed to continuing to provide these experiences,” the spokesperson added.
CCI’s Data-Sharing Restrictions
The CCI’s ruling also imposes restrictions on data sharing. It prohibits WhatsApp from sharing user data with other Meta platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, for advertising for five years. Additionally, WhatsApp must introduce clear in-app notifications, allowing users to opt out of data sharing. The company will also add a new settings tab to help users manage their data-sharing preferences.
A CCI spokesperson noted, “These changes mark a significant shift in how WhatsApp handles user privacy. Users will have easier access to opt-out options and greater control over their data.”