WhatsApp has until July to comply with EU consumer law, European Commission says

• WhatsApp had not explained privacy policy changes in plain language, which is breaching EU consumer law

Meta Platform Inc’s (NASDAQ: FB) WhatsApp will have to show that its January privacy policy update complies with EU consumer law by July, the European Commission said on Wednesday.

After receiving several complaints, the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and the European Network of consumer authorities said the messaging platform had not explained the changes in plain and understandable language, which is breaching EU consumer law.

National enforcers can impose sanctions on companies found breaching consumer laws.

In January, the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network, which is made up of national consumer watchdogs and backed by the EU executive, sent a letter to the company asking for clarifications on its updated privacy policy.

The officials said a reply from the company, which they received in March, did not convince them, prompting the EU to send a second letter on Wednesday.

“WhatsApp must ensure that users understand what they are agreeing to and how their personal data is used for commercial purposes, in particular, to offer services to commercial partners,” the Commission’s justice chief Didier Reynders said in a statement in January.

WhatsApp said it would respond to the letter in due course.

“Our 2021 update did not change our commitment to user privacy or the way we operate our service, including how we process, use or share data with anyone, including Meta,” a spokesperson said.

Picture Credit: BBC

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