In a significant development, Meta has decided to comply with the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) user-consent order regarding the WhatsApp privacy policy case. Meta’s counsel informed the court that the company will adhere to the directives by March 16, withdrawing its interim applications seeking a stay on the directions. This decision comes after an extended legal battle with the CCI.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, informed the Supreme Court during a recent hearing that it will retract its interim application challenging the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal’s (NCLAT) order. Meta has agreed to comply with the NCLAT’s directions related to the user-consent framework for data sharing.
The legal dispute originated from the CCI’s findings in November 2024, where WhatsApp was penalized for allegedly coercing users to share data with Meta. Meta was fined INR 213.14 Cr and restrained from such data-sharing for five years. Meta had previously contested the CCI’s assumptions and questioned the impact of limited data sharing on competition.
Following the NCLAT’s decision to lift the five-year ban on WhatsApp, Meta has now opted to follow the regulatory directives. This development marks a crucial step in resolving the standoff between Meta and the Indian competition watchdog.
Source: Inc42 Media