Meta slapped with Rs 214 cr fine in India over WhatsApp practices

The penalty reflects concerns that the policy unfairly pushed users to share data across Meta platforms, prioritising business and advertising goals over consumer privacy

by e4m Staff
Published: Nov 19, 2024 9:23 AM | 2 min read

India’s antitrust regulator has fined Meta approximately Rs 214 crore ($25.4 million) for abusing its market dominance through WhatsApp’s contentious 2021 privacy policy.

Announced on Monday, the penalty reflects concerns that the policy unfairly pushed users to share their data across Meta platforms, prioritising business and advertising goals over consumer privacy.

The 2021 policy triggered global outcry for allegedly strong-arming users, with many fearing it undermined WhatsApp’s commitment to privacy. India, WhatsApp’s largest market, witnessed an exodus of users to rival platforms, prompting regulatory scrutiny.

This decision is part of India’s broader crackdown on big tech’s monopolistic practices and data control. With digital advertising revenues growing and user data playing a key role in targeted marketing, regulators aim to ensure fair competition while protecting consumer rights.

Meta has not confirmed if it will appeal the ruling, which could set a precedent for how tech giants operate in India’s evolving regulatory landscape. The fine reinforces the message that leveraging market power without accountability will attract penalties, as India seeks to balance innovation with oversight.

"We disagree with the CCI’s decision and plan to appeal. As a reminder, the 2021 update did not change the privacy of people’s personal messages and was offered as a choice for users at the time. We also ensured no one would have their accounts deleted or lose functionality of the WhatsApp service because of this update.

The update was about introducing optional business features on WhatsApp, and provided further transparency about how we collect and use data. And since that time, WhatsApp has been incredibly valuable to people and businesses, enabling organizations and government institutions to deliver citizen services through COVID and beyond, and as well as supporting small businesses, all of which furthers the Indian economy. WhatsApp is able to do all of this because it offers services supported by Meta. We are committed to finding a path forward that allows us to continue providing the experiences that people and businesses have come to expect from us," said a Meta spokesperson