Meta to Appeal CCI Order, ₹213-Crore Penalty

Penalty on Meta: After Competition Commission imposed a Rs 213-crore penalty on Meta in relation to WhatsApp privacy policy, company said it disagrees with watchdog's decision and plans to appeal.

Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Monday asked WhatsApp to refrain from sharing user data with or applications, owned by Meta, for vertising purposes for a period of five years.

India's competition watchdog imposed a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on social media giant for unfair business ways with respect to WhatsApp privacy policy update done in 2021.

Besides, competition watchdog has directed Meta to cease and desist from anti-competitive practices.

Meta and WhatsApp have also been asked to implement certain behavioural remedies within a defined timeline to dress anti-competition issues, according to a CCI order.

A Meta spokesperson said that company disagrees with CCI's decision and plans to appeal.

"As a reminder, 2021 update did not change privacy of people's personal messages and was offered as a choice for users at time. We also ensured no one would have ir accounts deleted or lose functionality of WhatsApp service because of this update," Meta spokesperson said.

Also Re: CCI Slaps WhatsApp With ₹213 Crore Antitrust Fine

Meta furr said update was about introducing optional business features on WhatsApp, and provided furr transparency about data collection and usage.

Meta spokesperson ded since that time, WhatsApp has been incredibly valuable to people and businesses, enabling organisations and government institutions to deliver citizen services through COVID and beyond, and as well as supporting small businesses in furrance of India economy.

"WhatsApp is able to do all of this because it offers services supported by Meta. We are committed to finding a path forward that allows us to continue providing experiences that people and businesses have come to expect from us," Meta spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, CCI has barred WhatsApp from sharing data collected on its platform with or Meta companies or Meta company products for vertising purposes for five years.

On sharing of WhatsApp user data for purposes or than vertising, regulator said WhatsApp's policy should include a detailed explanation of user data shared with or Meta companies or Meta company products.

"This explanation should specify purpose of data sharing, linking each of data to its corresponding purpose," it said.

watchdog also said that sharing of user data collected on WhatsApp with or Meta companies or Meta company products for purposes or than for providing WhatsApp services shall not be me a condition for users to access WhatsApp Service in India.

On sharing of WhatsApp user data for purposes or than for providing WhatsApp services, CCI said all users in India (including users who have accepted 2021 update) will be provided with choice to manage such data sharing by way of an opt-out option prominently through an in-app notification.