Between a Rock and Two Hard Places: WhatsApp at the Crossroad of Competition, Data Protection and Consumer Law

Computer Law and Security Review (2017)

9 Pages Posted: 26 Jun 2017

Date Written: June 22, 2017

Abstract

On 11 May 2017, the Italian antitrust and consumer protection authority (Autorita’ Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, or AGCM) adopted two decisions in its proceedings against WhatsApp. Both proceedings, initiated under the consumer protection mandate of AGCM, relate to WhatsApp’s terms of service and privacy policy (together referred to as “ToS” hereinafter). In particular, one qualified as “unfair” and “aggressive” WhatsApp’s process of obtaining user consent for its updated ToS, while the other established the unfairness of specific clauses of WhatsApp’s ToS. This comment will address the former decision, while making reference to other proceedings opened against the consumer communication service or its mother company in relation to its latest ToS update.

Suggested Citation

Zingales, Nicolo, Between a Rock and Two Hard Places: WhatsApp at the Crossroad of Competition, Data Protection and Consumer Law (June 22, 2017). Computer Law and Security Review (2017), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2990939

Nicolo Zingales (Contact Author)

Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) ( email )

Praia de Botafogo 190
Rio de Janeiro, 22250-900
Brazil

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