Bad news for WhatsApp. They apparently didn’t fully explain to Europeans how it uses their data as called for by EU privacy law according to Ireland’s Data Protection Commission. WhatsApp’s punishment? The regulator hit the messaging app with a fine of 225 million euros which about $267 million USD:
Partly at issue is how WhatsApp share information with parent company Facebook, according to the commission. The decision brings an end to a GDPR inquiry the privacy regulator started in December 2018. WhatsApp said it disagrees with the decision and plans to appeal. “We have worked to ensure the information we provide is transparent and comprehensive and will continue to do so,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said via email.
Fun fact: WhatsApp pulled in about $5 to $10 billion last year. Thus while this fine is significant, it’s still pocket change to WhatsApp. But the other side of that coin is that it does send a message that the EU is serious about this sort of thing. But you know that.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
This entry was posted on September 2, 2021 at 9:03 pm and is filed under Commentary with tags WhatsApp. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
WhatsApp Slapped With $267 Million USD Fine
Bad news for WhatsApp. They apparently didn’t fully explain to Europeans how it uses their data as called for by EU privacy law according to Ireland’s Data Protection Commission. WhatsApp’s punishment? The regulator hit the messaging app with a fine of 225 million euros which about $267 million USD:
Partly at issue is how WhatsApp share information with parent company Facebook, according to the commission. The decision brings an end to a GDPR inquiry the privacy regulator started in December 2018. WhatsApp said it disagrees with the decision and plans to appeal. “We have worked to ensure the information we provide is transparent and comprehensive and will continue to do so,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said via email.
Fun fact: WhatsApp pulled in about $5 to $10 billion last year. Thus while this fine is significant, it’s still pocket change to WhatsApp. But the other side of that coin is that it does send a message that the EU is serious about this sort of thing. But you know that.
Share this:
Like this:
Related
This entry was posted on September 2, 2021 at 9:03 pm and is filed under Commentary with tags WhatsApp. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.