WhatsApp has until the end of February to explain changes to its privacy policy and whether it complies with EU consumer protection laws following complaints from consumer groups, the European Commission announced on Thursday.
The European Consumer Organization (BEUC) and eight of its members have lodged complaints with the EU executive and the European Consumer Authority Network, saying WhatsApp was unfairly pressuring users to accept its new privacy policy, which allows it to share certain data with Facebook and other group companies.
EU Justice Commissioner Didier Raders said he shared the concerns and asked WhatsApp to clarify the policy and whether it complies with EU consumer protection legislation.
“WhatsApp has until the end of February to return with specific commitments on how to 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 whether its alerts that motivate users to accept the new terms and privacy policy are fair.
The commission also said it was concerned about the exchange of users’ personal data between WhatsApp and third-party or other Facebook / Meta companies.
“We look forward to explaining to the European Commission how we protect the privacy of our users in compliance with our obligations under EU law,” a WhatsApp spokesman said.
Source: Capital

Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.