Standup9ja: WhatsApp fined 3m Euros in Italy over Facebook
data sharing
US-based mobile messaging service, WhatsApp, was fined 3
million Euros (3.3 million dollars) on Friday in Italy for insufficient
transparency on data sharing with its parent company, Facebook.
WhatsApp was taken over by Facebook in 2014 and two years
later, it introduced new terms of service and privacy policies that gave
Facebook access to WhatsApp users’ data.
Italy’s Antitrust Regulator — AGCM — said in a statement
that “the opportunity for WhatsApp users to refuse the handover of data to
Facebook was available `but it was inadequately flagged.”
The regulator also criticised WhatsApp for introducing
“unfair clauses” to its term of service, such as giving the company the right
to cut off services or start charging customers without warning.
In December, the European Commission, which regulates
antitrust matters in the EU, launched an investigation into Facebook’s conduct
prior to the WhatsApp buyout.
The EU executive accused Facebook of misleadingly telling
the commission that it could not smoothly integrate its own users’ data with
that of WhatsApp.
However, Facebook denied any wrongdoing and promised to explain
its actions.
The commission said it could slap a fine of up to 1 per cent
of annual turnover, around 280 million dollars, if it is not satisfied by the
internet giant’s answers. (dpa/NAN)
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