Observed Signal · Jul 13, 2021 · Regulation · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
BEUC files EU complaint against WhatsApp privacy policy
Consumer-advocacy group BEUC filed a formal complaint in Brussels against WhatsApp, alleging the messaging service uses intrusive, recurring notifications to pressure users into accepting its updated privacy terms. BEUC argues the notices are unfair and that the changes are written in a way that obscures what users are actually consenting to, potentially enabling far-reaching data processing without valid consent. The complaint cites the EU Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices and calls on authorities to intervene to protect consumer rights. An ExpressVPN survey cited in the article found that about one-third of German WhatsApp users reduced usage since the updates, while some increased use of Facebook Messenger and others turned to Telegram, Signal, or iMessage. WhatsApp had not issued a public comment by the time of the report, and the potential consequences for WhatsApp remain unclear.
Regulatory complaint in EU about privacy policy practices potentially affecting adtech data handling
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- BEUC filed a formal complaint in Brussels against WhatsApp.
- The complaint alleges unfair practices and pressure to accept new privacy terms via persistent notifications.
- It claims the terms are written opaquely, obscuring what users consent to and enabling broad data processing without valid consent.
- ExpressVPN survey: about one-third of German WhatsApp users reduced usage; a quarter increased use of Facebook Messenger; others switched to Telegram (18%), Signal (13%), or iMessage (11%).
- WhatsApp had not publicly commented on the complaint at the time of the report.
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