The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a penalty of ₹213.14 crore (approximately $25.4 million USD) on Meta Platforms for abusing its dominant position through WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update. The policy, introduced on a “take-it-or-leave-it” basis, expanded data collection and sharing without offering users the choice to opt-out. This was deemed to undermine user autonomy and create entry barriers for competitors in the online display advertising market.
The CCI directed Meta and WhatsApp to cease sharing user data for advertising purposes between Meta companies for five years. The watchdog also required WhatsApp to specify the types of user data shared and their purposes while ensuring users could opt out of data sharing for non-WhatsApp services. These behavioral remedies aim to address anti-competitive concerns and enhance user choice.
