Facebook unit WhatsApp has been given until the end of February to explain changes to its privacy policy and whether this complies with EU consumer protection laws after complaints from consumer groups, the European Commission said on Thursday.
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and eight of its members took their grievances to the EU executive and the European network of consumer authorities, saying WhatsApp was unfairly pressuring users to accept its new privacy policy which allows it to share some data with Facebook and other group firms, Reuters reported from Brussels.
EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said he shared the worries and has asked WhatsApp to clarify the policy and if it complies with EU consumer protection law.
“WhatsApp has until the end of February to come back to us with concrete commitments on how they will address our concerns,” he said in a statement.
Areas of concern include whether the company provides sufficient information about its new terms of service and if its notifications prompting users to accept the new terms and privacy policy are fair.
The Commission said it was also concerned about the exchange of users’ personal data between WhatsApp and third parties or other Facebook/Meta companies.
“We look forward to explaining to the European Commission how we protect our users’ privacy in compliance with our obligations under EU law,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said.
Subhash Chandra launches new dialogue platform
Goafest opens focusing on ‘Reset for Growth’, high-octane Sukhbir performance
Kohli highest earner in IPL history; KKR leads teams in valuations
As Indian b’cast deal eludes FIFA for WC26, officials come visiting
Malayalam film ‘Amma Ariyan’s restored version screened at Cannes
‘De De Pyaar De2’ world TV premiere on Zee Cinema
John Carroll Lynch returns for ‘American Horror Story’ S13
Roland Garros ’26 to air & stream on Sony network from May 24
Netflix gets into daily live shows with ‘The Breakfast Club’
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy terms Prime Video ‘profitable’ biz 

