Penalty On WhatsApp/Meta: Meta/Whatsapp has received a big blow from the Competition Commission of India. Competition Commission of India has imposed a fine of Rs 213.14 crore on Meta for wrong policy. This order of the commission is linked to WhatsApp’s 2021 policy, because under that policy, WhatsApp had collected information from consumers under pressure and later it was shared with other meta companies.
Government imposed heavy fine on WhatsApp
The Commission has also ordered Meta and WhatsApp to implement the instructions implemented by CCI within the stipulated time limit. As per CCI instructions-
- WhatsApp will not share user data collected on its platform with other meta companies or meta company products for advertising purposes for the next 5 years.
- Even if Meta shares this data somewhere in future, the consumer should know where his data is being shared and it will be necessary to take his permission.
- No other conditions of any kind will be placed before the consumer.
- The consumer will have the option to accept or not accept the company’s policy; he will not be forced to accept any policy.
- Even if any update comes in future, the consumer will not be forced to accept any policy.
Why were questions raised?
From January 2021, WhatsApp informed users about updates to its terms of service and privacy policies. The in-app notification states that as per the rules effective from February 8, 2021, users will have to share some important data with the company to continue using WhatsApp. The result was that consumers were left with no option because the condition was that if they did not accept then they would not be able to use WhatsApp.
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