New Delhi — The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has issued a directive against WhatsApp, asserting that the messaging platform abused its dominant market position by imposing its 2021 privacy policy on users. WhatsApp and its parent company Meta have rejected the findings, stating that there is no evidence to support the CCI’s conclusions.
Senior lawyer Balbir Singh said the CCI believes WhatsApp shares user data with Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger in a way that discourages users from migrating to other platforms, effectively “trapping” them within the Meta ecosystem. Senior advocate Ashok Bhushan and technical member Arun Baroka added that WhatsApp adopted a “take it or leave it” approach, leaving users with no choice but to accept the new terms.
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Key Takeaways
- CCI Findings: WhatsApp misused its dominant position by enforcing its 2021 privacy policy.
- WhatsApp and Meta Response: Both companies deny the allegations, stating no evidence exists to support the claims.
- Legal Arguments: Lawyers contend that WhatsApp coerced users to share data, moving away from its 2016 privacy policy.
- Previous Penalty: In November 2024, CCI fined WhatsApp ₹213.14 crore.
- Data Sharing Ban: WhatsApp is prohibited for the next five years from sharing user data with Meta entities for advertising purposes.
Analysts say the ruling represents a significant step toward increasing regulatory oversight of technology companies and strengthening digital privacy rights for platform users.
Highlight:
“This decision marks a milestone in protecting users’ privacy and digital rights,” experts said, emphasizing the broader implications for tech regulation in India.”
