Turkish watchdog probes Facebook, WhatsApp over data sharing

Turkey’s competition watchdog on Monday launched an investigation into Facebook and WhatsApp over messaging application’s changes to its data-sharing rules.

Competition Board also said in a statement that it has ordered a suspension of WhatsApp’s new data collection rules in Turkey.

move came after messaging application said it was updating its terms of service and privacy rules as of Feb. 8, forcing users to agree to sharing more of ir data with Facebook, which owns WhatsApp. company says changes are related to business transactions and that private messs wouldn't be affected.

Turkish WhatsApp users, concerned about that possible sharing of ir personal information, began downloading alternative messaging applications such as Signal or Telegram. Many chose to close down ir WhatsApp accounts even though messaging app assured that content of messs would remain encrypted.

Competition Board said its investigation would focus on wher Facebook and WhatsApp were in violation of Article 6 of Turkey’s competition laws, which bar companies from “abusing ir dominant positions.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s office and Turkey’s Defense Ministry anunced over weekend that y were ceasing using WhatsApp to communicate with journalists and asked m to download Turkish messaging application, Bip, which was developed by mobile phone operator Turkcell.