On November 18, 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) announced that it fined Meta Platforms, Inc. INR 2.13 billion (approx. $25.24 million) for violation of the Competition Act in relation to WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy update. Background to the decision The CCI noted that WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy update stated that effective February 8, 2021, users were required to accept these terms, including the expanded scope of data collection as well as mandatory data sharing with Meta companies, to continue using WhatsApp. Under the previous privacy policy, WhatsApp users were given the option to opt-out. Findings of the CCI The CCI found that the 2021 privacy policy update on a