Meta faces a ₹213-crore penalty from India’s Competition Commission over WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update. The tech giant plans to appeal, claiming the policy was fair and preserved user choice.

The Competition Commission of India has accused Meta-owned WhatsApp of abusing its dominant market position in its 2021 privacy update. Here's all you need to know

Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has expressed its disagreement with the recent ruling by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and announced plans to appeal. The decision, which penalised Meta Rs 213.14 crore, revolves around WhatsApp’s controversial 2021 privacy policy update.

Meta has expressed disagreement with the CCI's ₹213 crore fine over WhatsApp's privacy policy, citing concerns about data-sharing terms.

In January 2021, WhatsApp had notified users that it was updating its privacy policy – which was mandatory for them to accept – with an expanded scope of data collection and data sharing between Meta companies.

India's Competition Commission (CCI) has fined Meta INR 213.14 crore for abusing its market dominance through WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy update

The investigation revealed that WhatsApp compelled users to share data with Meta’s family of companies, including Facebook and Instagram, without offering an opt-out option.

Meta defends WhatsApp's privacy policy update. The spokesperson clarified that the 2021 update didn't change the privacy of people's personal messages. They stressed it was pitche

Meta is set to challenge a ₹213.14 crore fine imposed by the CCI over its WhatsApp privacy policy update. The company argues the policy was optional and transparent, opposing claims of anti-competitive practices.

The watchdog concluded that the 2021 policy update by WhatsApp on a "take-it-or-leave-it" basis constitutes an imposition of unfair conditions.