Messaging App WhatsApp to be Penalized By CCI For Breaching Privacy Policies in India: Report

By Shivangi Agarwal • Updated On Oct 14, 2024

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TL;DR

WhatsApp lands into trouble with CCI.
CCI believes WhatsApp’s changed privacy policy is a breach of violations.
Enquiry underway

Popular Meta-owned messaging app WhatsApp has gotten into trouble with the watchdog for fairness in trade practices in India CCI aka Competition Commission of India. CCI is planning to take legal action against WhatsApp for violating competition rules linked to the controversial 2021 privacy policy update. The amendment allowed WhatsApp to share specific user data with parent company Meta, which sparked concern for safety among regulators around the world.

ALSO SEE: WhatsApp Launches Backgrounds And Filters For Video Calls: How To Use Them?

What the issue is?

The controversy started when WhatsApp announced changes to its privacy policy in 2021 which allowed the platform to share a specific amount of user data with Meta. This raised alarm as many expressed concerns about how this would be a threat to user privacy in India. Following this, CCI launched an investigation into the amendment to find out whether WhatsApp’s move was actually a violation or not.

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What did CCI conclude?

A report by Livemint claims that the CCI’s Director General concluded that WhatsApp as well as Meta had misused their positions and breached Indian competition regulations. The report concludes that the messaging platform’s data-sharing agreement gave its parent company and subsidiaries an unfair advantage over competitors. By accessing information related to business transactions, WhatsApp and Meta were able to outpace other digital service providers and breach the privacy of individuals.

The CCI has now drafted an order that is based on DG’s findings. If this draft gets approved, WhatsApp and Meta might face penalties for their misconduct.

ALSO SEE: 5 Things You Can Do with Meta AI on WhatsApp

What does WhatsApp say?

A WhatsApp spokesperson stated that the CCI proceedings are still going on and the company can’t comment on the case until the final verdict is given. He further clarified that users had the option to accept or decline the new policy of WhatsApp. Those who declined it could continue using the app without any restrictions or breaches.

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Shivangi Agarwal

Shivangi is a tech writer at Smartprix, where she covers consumer technology news with a focus on smartphones, wearables, laptops, and the evolving world of OTT streaming. Since joining the team in August 2021, she has written over 120 in-depth reviews, comparisons, and buying guides aimed at helping readers navigate the ever-changing tech landscape.

With a strong foundation in English literature and education, Shivangi brings clarity, insight, and a reader-first approach to every story. Her expertise lies in breaking down complex features into accessible, practical insights—whether she’s reviewing the latest smartphone or exploring trends in infotainment.

Shivangi holds a B.A. (Hons.) and M.A. in English, along with a B.Ed in English and Social Studies. She is based in Faridabad, India. You can follow her work on Smartprix or connect with her for tech-related queries.

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