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January 2021 @WhatsApp changes its privacy policy forcing users to agree without an opt-out. There was considerable confusion. Here @internetfreedom conducted public advocacy to inform users & shift them to platforms such as @signalapp. 1/n internetfreedom.in
January 2021 @WhatsApp changes its privacy policy forcing users to agree without an opt-out. There was considerable confusion. Here @internetfreedom conducted public advocacy to inform users & shift them to platforms such as @signalapp. 1/n internetfreedom.in
The public advocacy included explainers, videos and infographics. Many of them were well distributed by many people from the digital rights community prompted regulatory action due to the scale of @Whatsapp in India. They are right. Whatsapp has close to 390.1 million users. 2/n
Here the Competition Commission of India started a Suo Motu Inquiry (on its own motion) into the changes in March. We support this regulatory action and filed a Request for information to support it. To us this is important to hold big tech to account. 3/n drive.google.com
Day before yesterday (Oct. 12), the Competition Commission of India accepted our information and clubbed it with the pre-existing Suo Motu Case. A screenshot of the order is attached below. IFF is now a party to this investigation on Whatsapp and Facebook. 4/n
For more information on what this means, why we approached the CCI and the need for regulatory oversight please refer to the link below. As always IFF will provide updates, consistently & transparently. 5/n internetfreedom.in
Combining rapid response with long term institutional engagement is part of our advocacy playbook. IFF's work is public centered, public focussed & public funded. It's litigation draws from the support of leading lawyers & principled litigants. 6/n internetfreedom.in
At this time, I would like to thank the team from Sarvada Legal for being our lawyers in this case and helping us step into the CCI. Thank you @roy_sarvada and @vivek_law. My colleagues @TanmayPratapS @sheisanandita and @krishnesh78. 7/7
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