CCI slaps Rs 213 cr fine on Meta over WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update

India’s antitrust watchdog has fined Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Rs 213.14 crore for “abusing” its dominant position in relation to the messaging platform’s controversial 2021 update to its privacy policy. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said the penalty follows over how the privacy policy was implemented, and user data was collected and shared with other Meta companies.

The Commission also issued cease-and-desist directions and directed Meta and WhatsApp to implement certain behavioural remedies within a defined timeline.