Meta Wins Major Relief: NCLAT Lifts WhatsApp Data-Sharing Ban

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has suspended the Competition Commission of India's five-year ban on WhatsApp's data sharing with Meta. The tribunal, led by Justice Ashok Bhushan, noted that the ban could jeopardize WhatsApp's free messaging business model. While providing relief, NCLAT ordered Meta to deposit 50% of the ₹213 crore penalty within two weeks. The case's next hearing is scheduled for March 17, 2025. The decision significantly impacts WhatsApp's operations in India, its largest market with over 700 million monthly users. Source: NCLAT Official Statement