WhatsApp

In a significant ruling for India’s digital ecosystem, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has overturned the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) directive that prohibited WhatsApp from sharing user data with its parent company, Facebook (now Meta Platforms Inc.). The appellate body found procedural inconsistencies and lack of sufficient evidence to justify the CCI’s earlier order.

In a major step toward enhancing digital privacy, WhatsApp has rolled out passkey encryption for chat backups, providing users with a stronger layer of protection against unauthorized access. This new feature replaces traditional password-based systems with cryptographic passkeys, allowing users to securely authenticate using biometric methods such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or device PINs.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has reserved its order in the case concerning data-sharing practices between WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta. The matter, which has attracted regulatory and legal scrutiny, revolves around whether the platform’s updated privacy policy unfairly compels users to share personal information with its parent entity. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had earlier raised concerns over potential abuse of dominance, citing risks to consumer choice and data privacy.

India’s antitrust regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has intensified scrutiny of Meta Platforms over WhatsApp’s controversial privacy policies. At the core of the dispute lies whether WhatsApp’s data-sharing framework with its parent company undermines user autonomy and distorts competition in India’s fast-growing digital economy. The issue has sparked regulatory pushback, legal battles, and heightened public concern over the control of personal data.

Nepal is grappling with a major political and social crisis following violent clashes between police and protesters opposing a government-imposed social media ban. At least 17 youths were killed in the unrest, sparking nationwide outrage and prompting the resignation of the Home Minister. The ban, intended to curb misinformation, has instead ignited widespread dissent among the country’s youth and digital communities.

A critical security vulnerability has been discovered in WhatsApp, prompting cybersecurity experts and the company itself to urge users worldwide to update the messaging app immediately. The flaw, if exploited, could allow malicious actors to compromise devices, posing risks to sensitive data and personal communication. With over two billion active users globally, WhatsApp’s scale makes the issue particularly concerning, as even a small fraction of affected devices could have widespread implications.

WhatsApp has intensified its efforts to secure its platform, unveiling a robust safety tool aimed at empowering users to better identify and report suspicious activity. In tandem, the messaging giant has significantly escalated its crackdown on scam and spam accounts, disabling millions during a recent compliance cycle. These developments reflect WhatsApp’s broader commitment to digital safety, transparency, and accountability, especially in light of rising cyber fraud and phishing attempts across messaging platforms.

In a robust display of digital regulation, WhatsApp has deactivated more than 98 lakh user accounts in India during June, marking a significant escalation in the platform’s efforts to combat misuse, harmful behavior, and policy violations. The action stems from both user complaints and the platform’s proactive detection systems, aimed at maintaining trust and safety across its vast user base. This move underscores WhatsApp’s commitment to regulatory compliance in India, its largest market, especially under the purview of the Information Technology Rules, 2021.

WhatsApp, the world's most widely used messaging platform, is testing new monetization features in its latest beta release: Status Ads and Promoted Channels. These developments mark a pivotal shift in the app’s longstanding ad-free experience and reflect parent company Meta’s broader strategy to unlock new revenue streams across its platforms.

In a significant move to expand its reach, Perplexity AI, the popular AI-powered answer engine, has integrated its chatbot directly into WhatsApp. Announced by the company’s Co-founder and CEO, Aravind Srinivas, this new development allows users to access the chatbot’s capabilities without the need for additional app downloads or sign-ups. With this integration, users can interact with the AI to perform tasks such as answering questions, summarizing content, and even generating custom images for free.