🚀 Medial Secures Investment on Shark Tank India - Fueling the Future of Professional Social Networking. 🔥

Startup Showcase

Premium Content

Try our Valuation Calculator →

News on Medial

Did WhatsApp's policy tweak break the law?

Livemint

Livemint · 10m ago

Did WhatsApp's policy tweak break the law?

India's competition watchdog, the Competition Commission (CCI), has concluded that WhatsApp, a subsidiary of Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly Facebook Inc.), violated the country's competition law. The case refers to WhatsApp's privacy policy update in 2021 that allowed the sharing of user data with Meta. The CCI is set to issue an order, possibly including a penalty, based on the investigation report submitted by the Director General (DG). In India, WhatsApp has the highest number of users globally with close to 536 million, making the outcome of the investigation significant.

2

Related News

ETtech Explainer: WhatsApp's standoff with Centre over end-to-end encryption

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

ETtech Explainer: WhatsApp's standoff with Centre over end-to-end encryption

WhatsApp has stated that it may have to stop operating in India if it is forced to break encryption to comply with the country's Information Technology Rules. These rules require traceability to identify the "first originator" of messages, but WhatsApp argues that this violates privacy rights. The government has opposed WhatsApp's stance, claiming that the messaging app cannot legitimately claim to protect privacy as it monetizes user information for business purposes. This issue raises questions about the balance between privacy and law enforcement in the digital age.

NCLAT admits Meta, WhatsApp pleas against CCI's Rs 213 Cr penalty

YourStory

YourStory · 7m ago

NCLAT admits Meta, WhatsApp pleas against CCI's Rs 213 Cr penalty

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) admitted appeals from Meta and WhatsApp against a CCI order imposing a Rs 213.14 crore penalty for alleged market dominance abuse. The CCI cited WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy update. Meta and WhatsApp argue CCI lacks jurisdiction since the issue is pending before India's Supreme Court. They seek to delay CCI's order, claiming it risks their business model. CCI counters that the investigation differs from legal proceedings on privacy.

NCLAT to hear Meta’s plea against ₹213 crore CCI fine on WhatsApp privacy policy on 16 Jan

Livemint

Livemint · 7m ago

NCLAT to hear Meta’s plea against ₹213 crore CCI fine on WhatsApp privacy policy on 16 Jan

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) will hear Meta Platforms' appeal on January 16 against a penalty imposed by India's Competition Commission (CCI) for abuse of dominance over WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy update. The CCI fined Meta ₹213.14 crore, demanding WhatsApp not share user data with Meta entities without user consent. This mirrors global stances on data privacy, with past actions from Germany and Ireland against Meta’s handling of WhatsApp data.

Fintechs scramble to tweak systems as DPDP Act looms

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Fintechs scramble to tweak systems as DPDP Act looms

Fintech founders are rushing to comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, which requires detailed impact assessments, contract revisions, and legal consultations. This law adds additional data protection guidelines on top of existing regulations for regulated entities in the fintech sector.

India's competition regulator imposes $25.4 million fine on Meta

Economic Times

Economic Times · 9m ago

India's competition regulator imposes $25.4 million fine on Meta

India's competition watchdog has fined WhatsApp $25.4 million and directed the messaging app to cease sharing user data with other Meta-owned applications for advertising purposes for a five-year period. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) launched an investigation into WhatsApp's privacy policy in 2021, which allowed data sharing with Facebook and its subsidiaries. The CCI stated that sharing user data with other Meta companies cannot be a condition for accessing WhatsApp in India. Tech giants like Apple, Google, and Meta are facing new regulatory challenges with India's proposed antitrust law. The Indian government is currently reviewing a panel report that recommends a Digital Competition Bill to complement existing laws.

Meta India Public Policy VP Shivnath Thukral resigns; says, 'I aim to focus on my health and family'

IndianStartupNews

IndianStartupNews · 2m ago

Meta India Public Policy VP Shivnath Thukral resigns; says, 'I aim to focus on my health and family'

Meta India's Public Policy Vice President, Shivnath Thukral, is resigning at the end of June to focus on his health and family. Thukral joined Meta in 2017 and held significant roles, including leading WhatsApp's public policy for four years. During his tenure, Meta expanded partnerships with Indian state governments for WhatsApp-powered services. Thukral’s departure marks a significant change, following various high-stakes challenges faced by Meta in India.

WhatsApp wins reprieve in India over sharing user data with Meta | TechCrunch

TechCrunch · 7m ago

WhatsApp wins reprieve in India over sharing user data with Meta | TechCrunch

An Indian tribunal has temporarily lifted a five-year ban on WhatsApp's data sharing with parent company Meta, marking a significant win for Zuckerberg's firm in its largest user market. The ban, imposed by India's antitrust regulator, accused WhatsApp of abusing its dominance through its 2021 privacy policy by forcing data sharing without opt-out options for Indian users. Meta must deposit $12.35 million pending further court hearings in March.

NCLAT to hear Meta's plea against fair trade regulator's penalty on Jan 16

Economic Times

Economic Times · 7m ago

NCLAT to hear Meta's plea against fair trade regulator's penalty on Jan 16

Meta Platforms Inc has appealed to the corporate appellate tribunal, NCLAT, against the CCI's Rs 213.14 crore penalty for abusing its dominant market position through WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy update. The matter will be heard on January 16. Meta's senior advocates emphasized the issue's importance and urgency. The CCI has also ordered Meta to stop anti-competitive practices and implement behavioral remedies, such as restricting data sharing between WhatsApp and Meta companies for five years.

WhatsApp In Hot Soup As CCI To Act Against Its Privacy Policy Update

Inc42 · 10m ago

WhatsApp In Hot Soup As CCI To Act Against Its Privacy Policy Update

WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta, are likely to face penalties and an order from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) due to the recent updates to WhatsApp's privacy policy. The CCI's Director General of Investigation has determined that WhatsApp and Meta violated competition laws by abusing their dominant position. Under the revised Competition Act, CCI can impose penalties of up to 10% of the average turnover for the past three financial years on offending companies.

Now, Most Products May Turn Costlier As Amazon India Moves To Tweak Seller Fee

Inc42 · 1y ago

Now, Most Products May Turn Costlier As Amazon India Moves To Tweak Seller Fee

Amazon India will be changing its fee structures starting from April 7, resulting in higher prices for various items. The revised fee structure will affect categories such as home improvement, luxury beauty, sleepwear, musical instruments, and flipflops. However, fees for categories including inverter and batteries, and baby apparel will see reductions. The fee changes will impact companies like Mamaearth, which will face increased seller fees for products like face washes, moisturizers, and sunscreens. Additionally, Amazon has removed its Zero Fee fulfillment policy and is reportedly preparing to launch a new vertical called Amazon Bazaar.

Trackers

Active Indian VC’s

OG Capital Email

With a hands-on approach, OG Capital aims to invest in over 20 promising...

Accel Partners Email

Early and growth-stage investments in disruptive technology companies with...

Early-stage venture capital firm investing in technology startups in India. Focus on...

Access All Trackers

Startup Showcase Winners

June 2025

Helping your parents when you are miles away

The Pit Stop Your Cravings Deserve

The next generation E-commerce platform

Enter Ongoing Startup Showcase

Top Users

Trending News on Medial

Just Months After Promotion, Open ...

Microsoft locks down a building a ...

Google Alerts 2.5B Gmail Users Af ...

Download the medial app to read full posts, comements and news.