Maya Robertson
Ireland’s Data Privacy Commissioner (DPC) fined popular messaging app WhatsApp $266 million (€255 million) over its personal data sharing practices with Facebook and other Facebook companies.
‘’The DPC’s investigation commenced on 10 December 2018 and it examined whether WhatsApp has discharged its GDPR transparency obligations with regard to the provision of information and the transparency of that information to both users and non-users of WhatsApp’s service,’’ the regulator said in a statement.
‘’This includes information provided to data subjects about the processing of information between WhatsApp and other Facebook companies.’’
WhatsApp said that the amount of the fine is “entirely disproportionate” and it will appeal the decision.
“WhatsApp is committed to providing a secure and private service. We have worked to ensure the information we provide is transparent and comprehensive and will continue to do so,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said.
“We disagree with the decision today regarding the transparency we provided to people in 2018 and the penalties are entirely disproportionate,” the spokesperson added.
In addition to the record-breaking fine, the watchdog also ordered WhatsApp to make necessary changes to its app within three months to comply with EU’s data transparency rules.
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