The NCLAT reserved its order on appeals by Meta Platforms and WhatsApp, difficult the CCI’s resolution to slap a penalty of INR 213.1 Cr

The Appellate Tribunal directed the events to file concise written submissions by October 6, after listening to arguments from either side relating to data-sharing and competitors issues

The case pertains to WhatsApp’s 2021 privateness coverage replace, which the CCI stated pressured customers to simply accept new phrases on a “take it or go away it” foundation, a transfer thought of an abuse of its dominant place

The Nationwide Firm Regulation Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has reserved its order on the appeals filed by social media firm Meta and WhatsApp, difficult the Competitors Fee of India’s (CCI) resolution to slap a penalty of INR 213.1 Cr (about $24 Mn) for alleged anti-competitive practices referring to WhatsApp’s 2021 privateness coverage replace. 

A bench of the NCLAT, led by chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and technical member Arun Baroka, accomplished listening to submissions on Thursday (September 25) and requested the concerned events to current written notes, not exceeding 10 pages, by October 6, 2025, PTI reported.

Earlier, the counsel representing Meta and WhatsApp argued that the CCI has no proof in opposition to the worldwide tech firm that proves abuse of dominance or conduct that restricted market entry for rivals.

The CCI, whereas slapping the penalty in November 2024, had directed Meta to halt sure data-sharing practices and barred WhatsApp from sharing consumer information with Meta or its merchandise for promoting functions for five years.

The CCI stated that WhatsApp’s 2021 privateness coverage pressured customers to simply accept new phrases on a “take it or go away it” foundation, a transfer thought of an abuse of its dominant place that probably broken market competitors. Further treatments had been stipulated, together with behavioural modifications comparable to limits on mandating data-sharing for customers to entry WhatsApp providers in India.

Following that, Meta and WhatsApp challenged the CCI’s order final yr. In January, the NCLAT granted the corporate an interim aid, briefly staying the five-year data-sharing ban for promoting functions. 

The CCI has additionally tightened its noose on different massive tech corporations like Google previously. Final month, the regulatory physique ordered a probe into the large tech main’s alleged abuse of dominance within the on-line show promoting providers market by way of its Google AdTech Stack.

The criticism was filed by business physique Alliance of Digital India Basis (ADIF), which counts startups like Paytm, Matrimony.com, TrulyMadly, amongst others, as its members.

Apart from, the likes of Amazon and Apple are additionally underneath investigation by the antitrust regulator.