Meta to Appeal CCI Ruling on Data Sharing Restrictions and Fine

Meta has announced plans to appeal a ruling by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which prohibits the company from sharing advertising data between WhatsApp and its other platforms. The CCI also imposed a fine of $25.4 million on Meta for antitrust violations linked to WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy.

Key Aspects of the CCI Ruling

The CCI’s decision restricts Meta from sharing data between WhatsApp and other Meta-owned applications for the next five years. This ruling follows concerns raised by WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy, which, introduced in March 2021, required users’ data to be shared with Facebook (now Meta) and other affiliated businesses. The policy change triggered an investigation by CCI, focused on its impact on user privacy.

Meta’s Response and Commitment to Users

Meta has expressed its disagreement with the ruling and intends to challenge the decision. A company spokesperson stated, “We disagree with the CCI’s decision and plan to appeal,” reaffirming Meta’s commitment to delivering services that users and businesses expect.

Before the policy update, WhatsApp users had the option to control the sharing of their data with Facebook and its partners. India, with approximately 500 million active WhatsApp users each month, is a significant market for the company.

CCI’s Data Sharing Directive

The CCI has mandated that data collected on WhatsApp cannot be shared with other Meta platforms for purposes unrelated to WhatsApp services. The commission emphasized that sharing user data with other Meta companies cannot be a condition for accessing WhatsApp services in India.

Meta has defended the policy update, reassuring users that it does not compromise the privacy of personal communications. The company also clarified that users would not lose access to their accounts or services as a result of the changes.