WhatsApp Privacy policy update: In a major development, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered a probe over the much controversial recent update of its privacy policy. The commission said that the online messaging platform has contravened the provisions of Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002 through its "exploitative and exclusionary conduct" in the garb of policy update, the report said.

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Noting that a thorough and detailed investigation is required to ascertain the full extent, scope and impact of data sharing through involuntary consent of users, the CCI order said: "The Commission directs the Director General (DG) to cause an investigation to be made into the matter under the provisions of Section 26(1) of the Act," the news agency IANS reported.

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The Commission also directed the DG to complete the investigation and submit the investigation report within a period of 60 days from the receipt of the order.

The CCI noted that given the pronounced network effects it enjoys, and the absence of any credible competitor in the instant messaging market in India, WhatsApp appears to be in a position to compromise quality in terms of protection of individualised data and can deem it unnecessary to even retain the user-friendly alternatives such as ‘opt-out' choices, without the fear of erosion of its user base.

Meanwhile, after facing the wrath of millions of its users across the globe due to 'confusing' privacy policy, Facebook-owned instant messaging platform recently announced that it will show an in-app alert soon to help users understand it better. The messaging platform also earlier revealed that users must understand and accept the privacy policy by May 15 else they will lose access to their account.

Also, WhatsApp is reportedly sending reminders regarding the new terms and conditions. A few days ago, some users got pop-up messages just after launch the app. The pop-up message is to remind users of its new terms and privacy policy. Part of the message reads "Please accept these updates to continue using WhatsApp."