Here's a breakdown of the key news items

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News and developments surrounding WhatsApp and phone number data primarily focus on privacy, data sharing with Meta (its parent company), and new features designed to give users more control over their phone number's visibility.


1. The Ongoing Debate and Legal Battles over Data Sharing with Meta:

2021 Privacy Policy Update Fallout: This was a major news story. In 2021, WhatsApp updated its Privacy Policy, which mandated data sharing with its parent company, Meta (Facebook), for hungary whatsapp number data users to continue using the service. This led to significant user backlash and an exodus to rival apps like Signal and Telegram, despite WhatsApp clarifying that personal messages and calls remain end-to-end encrypted and are not shared. The shared data primarily pertains to business interactions on the platform, user activity, and device information.

Regulatory Scrutiny (e.g., India's CCI): This update triggered legal challenges and scrutiny from antitrust and privacy regulators worldwide. For instance, India's Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a ban and fine on Meta regarding its data-sharing practices.
Latest News (Jan-Feb 2025): The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in India has recently stayed (put on hold) a five-year ban imposed by the CCI on WhatsApp's data sharing with Meta. The NCLAT noted that such a ban "may lead to the collapse of business model" of WhatsApp, given it's a free service. This legal battle is ongoing, highlighting the complex intersection of data privacy, competition law, and business models.
EU Fines: The European Commission has also fined Meta for breaching data regulations (like the Digital Markets Act) by not offering users sufficient choice regarding data processing for personalized ads. This indicates ongoing global pressure on Meta's data practices across its platforms, including WhatsApp.
2. Enhancements to Phone Number Privacy (Good News for Users):

Usernames are Coming! (Major News): This is perhaps the most significant recent development. WhatsApp is actively rolling out a feature that allows users to create unique usernames.