SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has prohibited WhatsApp, operated by Meta, from sharing user data with other Meta-owned platforms for the next five years. The regulator also imposed a $25.4 million fine for violating antitrust laws.
According to reports on Tuesday, the state-run CCI found WhatsApp's privacy policy, which permitted the sharing of user data with Meta platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, to be inappropriate.
The commission argued that WhatsApp exploited Meta's dominant market position by forcing users to consent to data collection without offering an opt-out option.
The CCI further concluded that WhatsApp's privacy policy created entry barriers for Meta’s competitors, thus undermining competition in the display advertising market.
Following the ruling, WhatsApp must provide users with a detailed explanation of the data shared with Meta's other platforms and the purpose of that sharing. The app will also be required to offer an opt-out option through in-app notifications and settings, applying these changes to both new and existing users.
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