Ireland has just handed out Europe’s second-highest fine ever for a breach of the European Union’s GDPR regulations. And the recipient on the other end is none other than Facebook’s own popular messaging platform, WhatsApp.
We disagree with the decision today regarding the transparency we provided to people in 2018 and the penalties are entirely disproportionate.
“WhatsApp is committed to providing a secure and private service,” declared a WhatsApp spokesperson.” We have worked to ensure the information we provide is transparent and comprehensive and will continue to do so.”
It isn’t very clear cut how things will proceed, either, as during Ireland’s discussion of the fine (detailed in a 266-page document) with other members of the EU, it wasn’t without opposition. Eight countries expressed their disapproval over Ireland’s measures, not the least among which is Germany.
