India restricts WhatsApp data sharing, Meta plans to appeal
India's competition regulator restricts Meta Platforms from sharing advertising data between WhatsApp and other applications, imposing a fine of $25.4 million. Meta plans to appeal this order, and the data-sharing restrictions will last for five years. The decision stems from an investigation into WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy, which allowed Meta to share data with its subsidiaries. Indian users can only choose to accept the policy or opt out of WhatsApp. Meta stated that the update did not change the privacy of users' personal information
According to Zhitong Finance APP, India's competition regulator has restricted Meta Platforms (META.US) from sharing advertising data between WhatsApp and its other applications, imposing a fine of $25.4 million. Meta announced on Tuesday that it plans to appeal this order.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) announced on Monday that the data-sharing restrictions will last for five years. The agency investigated WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy, which allowed Meta to share data with its subsidiaries, sparking strong global opposition.
It is reported that EU users can choose not to accept this version of the privacy policy, but Indian users can only choose between accepting the 2021 version of the privacy policy or exiting WhatsApp.
The Competition Commission of India stated on Monday: "Sharing user data collected on WhatsApp with other departments of Meta, not for the purpose of providing WhatsApp services, should not be a condition for users to access WhatsApp services in India."
A Meta spokesperson stated on Tuesday that the 2021 update did not change the privacy of individuals' personal information.
The spokesperson said: "We also ensured that no one would have their account deleted or lose the functionality of WhatsApp services because of this update."