WhatsApp, which has reached more than 2 billion active users worldwide, has been holding the title of the most used mobile messaging application for years. The platform, which sends over a hundred billion messages every day, is now trying to cancel the 225 million Euros (188 million pounds) fine it received from the European Union.
WhatsApp doesn’t want to get into trouble with the EU
WhatsApp has updated its privacy policy to be more transparent, following a €225 million fine it ate earlier this year and condemnation from regulators. The company states that the update does not change the way it handles user data. But it says it’s meeting the demands of European Union privacy regulators for how transparent it is about this processing.
The decision made in September actually said that Meta (the new umbrella company of WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook) did not sufficiently inform individuals in which jurisdictions WhatsApp processes users’ data and how it defines people in their contacts.
The policy, which the company has brought with the new updates, is scheduled to take effect in the UK and other European jurisdictions that have adopted the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
WhatsApp reacts to the decision!
WhatApp runs its European operations from its Dublin-based office. For this reason, it was the highest fine ever imposed by the Irish DPC, one of the EU’s leading privacy regulators. Making a statement on the subject, the company said:
As ordered by Ireland [DPC], we have revised our Privacy Policy for people in the European Region and added more details. However, we do not agree with the decision and we are appealing because we believe that we have already provided the necessary information to all our users.
This update we shared does not change our commitment to user privacy or the way we operate our service, including how we process, use or share your data with Meta. Wherever you are in the world, we protect all your personal messages with end-to-end encryption. This means that even WhatsApp cannot read or listen to them.
Who do you think is right in these events between WhatsApp and the European Union? Don’t forget to share your views with us in the comments!
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