India antitrust body orders investigation into WhatsApp’s privacy policy changes

WhatsApp's planned policy changes aren't sailing smoothly in India, the instant messaging service's biggest market by users. Indian antitrust body, Competition Commission of India, on Wednesday ordered (PDF) an investigation into WhatsApp's privacy policy changes, alleging that Facebook-owned service contravened competition law provisions through exploitative and exclusionary" conduct in garb of policy update."

WhatsApp didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Indian watchdog said it has ordered nation's Director General to investigate WhatsApp's new policy to ascertain the full extent, scope and impact of data sharing through involuntary consent of users." The Director General has been directed to complete the investigation and submit the report within 60 days.

The move on Wednesday follows months long legal battle WhatsApp has been fighting in India over its new policy update, which goes into effect in May this year. Last week, the Indian government alleged that WhatsApp's planned privacy update violates local laws on several counts. In a filing to the Delhi High Court, the federal government also asked the court to prevent the Facebook-owned messaging app from rolling out the update in India.

Earlier this year, India's IT ministry had written to Will Cathcart, the head of WhatsApp, to express its grave concerns" about the update and its implications and had called upon to withdraw the proposed changes."

This is a developing story. More to follow...