India Imposes Fine Of Rs 213 Crore on Meta Over WhatsApp's Privacy Policy Update

The CCI has also forbidden WhatsApp from making user data sharing with Meta companies a precondition for accessing WhatsApp services in India.

For data shared with Meta companies and products for purposes other than advertising, WhatsApp’s policy must specify what kind of data is shared and why. When WhatsApp user data is shared for any purpose other than providing WhatsApp services, the users must be given the choice to opt out of such data sharing, and modify their choice in–app. This option must be made available to all users, including those who accepted the 2021 update.

Through its investigation, the CCI concluded that WhatsApp is the dominant player in the market for OTT (over-the-top) messaging apps through smartphones in India, and Meta holds a “leading position” in the online display advertising market in India.