Meta, which is alleged to have violated the “Law on the Protection of Competition” No. 4054, started its oral defense. We are broadcasting the statements at the meeting live.
With the decision rendered as a result of the alleged violation of the “Law on the Protection of Competition” No. 4054, Meta to oral defense had been summoned. The defense meeting, originally scheduled for August 23, was later postponed to October 11.
Meta started its oral defense today against the allegation that it did not comply with competition laws in Turkey. Competition Authority, Meta Platforms Inc, Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, WhatsApp LLC and Madoka Turkey Bilişim Ltd. Sti he’s listening. We are broadcasting the highlights of the meeting live.
The defense started with a policy update that was imposed on each user and provoked a reaction:
Meta introduced a new privacy policy to all users on WhatsApp in the past months, forcing all users to accept this policy in order to continue using the application. meta to defense on this policy started. The description of the meta representative was as follows:
“It was shared with the public by WhatsApp as of January 2021 that an update to its services will be made. But the purpose and impact of these updates have been misunderstood. In terms of impact, the update expands WhatsApp’s ability to share user data with its parent company, Meta.
In terms of its purpose, it was aimed to provide more clarity and transparency to WhatsApp users regarding WhatsApp’s data applications.
For example, it was aimed to make the terms of service more understandable for users. As another example, additional information was also provided about WhatsApp’s optional business messaging service and features that users can always choose not to use.”
Competition Board question: This started in Turkey and other countries, not implemented in Europe. Was this policy a bit like “Let’s try it here first and then apply it in other countries”?
“We look at global activities, we evaluate global activities. Turkey was not included in the updates. The update was actually a global application. Therefore, the update would be implemented in the same countries you mentioned. I would particularly like to say that it is not an application in which Turkey is prioritized.”
Meta requested a closed session for the oral defense. The meeting went into closed session. He is expected to make his final decision on the investigation within 15 days.
Why was the investigation opened?
The Representative of the Competition Authority Investigation Committee, from the information obtained and submitted by the parties following the decision to open an investigation, WhatsApp and Facebook Inc. He stated that the data sharing between them started in 2016. Within the scope of the investigation, it was shared that it was examined whether the ongoing data sharing between Facebook’s own subsidiaries violated Article 6 of Law No. 4054.
The representative, within the scope of the investigation, also through an update. Planned to be brought to WhatsApp users In order for the use of the WhatsApp service to continue, consent to data sharing, in other words ‘take it or leave it’, is covered by Article 6 of the Law No. 4054. evaluated whether it restricts competition explained.
Source :
https://www.rekabet.gov.tr/tr/Guncel/meta-platforms-inc-(facebook-inc-)-meta–703467947032ed11a22a0050568595ba