India imposes $25.4 mln fine on Meta over WhatsApp policy

India’s competition watchdog directed WhatsApp to refrain from sharing user data for advertising purposes with other applications owned by Meta for a period of five years and fined the U.S. tech giant $25.4 million on Monday over antitrust violations related to the messaging application’s 2021 privacy policy.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) launched a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp’s privacy policy, which allowed data sharing with Facebook and its units, sparking global backlash.

“Sharing of user data collected on WhatsApp with other Meta companies… for purposes other than for providing WhatsApp service shall not be made a condition for users to access WhatsApp Service in India,” the CCI said.

Meta did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Tech giants, including Apple, Google and Meta face new regulatory challenges with India’s proposed EU-like antitrust law.

The Indian government is currently examining a February report from a panel established by the corporate affairs ministry. The report proposed a new “Digital Competition Bill” to complement existing antitrust laws.

The US-India Business Council, a key U.S. lobby group has already opposed the move, fearing its business impact.

About WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a popular, free, and secure messaging app that allows users to send text messages, make voice and video calls, and share media files with individuals or groups. Developed by Facebook (now Meta), WhatsApp was launched in 2009 and has since become one of the most widely used messaging apps globally, with over 2 billion monthly active users.

WhatsApp offers a range of features that make it a convenient and enjoyable way to communicate with friends, family, and colleagues. These features include end-to-end encryption for secure conversations, group chats, file sharing, and location sharing. WhatsApp also supports voice and video calls, allowing users to make free calls over the internet.

One of the key benefits of WhatsApp is its simplicity and ease of use. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices, and users can easily sync their contacts and start chatting with friends and family. With its user-friendly interface and robust feature set, WhatsApp has become an essential tool for personal and professional communication.

($1 = 84.3740 Indian rupees)