Meta has expressed concern over an Indian antitrust directive that prohibits WhatsApp from sharing user data for advertising purposes, potentially leading to feature rollbacks or pauses in the country. According to an exclusive Reuters report, Meta’s confidential court filing revealed its discontent with the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) decision and questioned the watchdog’s technical understanding.
The U.S.-based tech giant has a substantial presence in India, with over 350 million Facebook users and more than 500 million WhatsApp users. Any disruption in services or features could significantly impact Meta’s business operations in the country.
Meta’s warning highlights the potential far-reaching consequences of the antitrust ruling. The company suggests that it may have to “roll back or pause” certain features due to the directive, which could lead to a deterioration in user experience and potentially drive users away from its platforms.
The CCI’s decision came after it found WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update to be discriminatory and unfair to Indian users. The watchdog ordered WhatsApp to undo the changes and refrain from sharing user data with its parent company, Meta, for advertising purposes.
Meta’s filing also criticized the CCI’s lack of technical expertise and understanding in making such decisions. The company argued that the regulator’s intervention could lead to unintended consequences, harming both consumers and businesses.
The antitrust case against WhatsApp is part of a broader global scrutiny of big tech companies’ data practices and market dominance. As regulators worldwide tighten their grip on these corporations, companies like Meta may face increased pressure to comply with local laws and regulations or risk facing penalties and service disruptions.