Ireland fines WhatsApp 5.5 million euros for EU privacy breach
London, Jan 19: Ireland fined WhatsApp on Thursday for breaching strict European Union privacy rules by forcing users to consent to allow their personal data to be used to provide "service improvements and security".
The Data Protection Commission issued a 5.5 million euro (USD 5.9 million) penalty in the case, which has exposed divisions with regulators in other EU countries over regulating the chat app's parent Meta.
In a related decision earlier this month, the Irish watchdog hit Meta with a total of USD 390 million in fines for privacy violations involving Facebook and Instagram.
All three cases date back to May 2018, when stringent EU privacy regulations took force.
The commission, which is Meta's lead European privacy regulator because the company's regional headquarters is in Dublin, originally sided with the Silicon Valley giant. But a slew of other EU data protection watchdogs objected to its draft decisions and the Irish watchdog was forced to overturn them and issue stiffer punishments.
In its final decision on the WhatsApp case, the commission also ordered the company to bring its data processing operations into compliance with EU privacy rules within six months.
WhatsApp said it disagreed with the decision and plans to appeal.
"We strongly believe that the way the service operates is both technically and legally compliant," it said in a statement.
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CEO’s Rs 14 lakh Louis Vuitton dog suitcase triggers social media debate
New Delhi: An Indian CEO has triggered widespread debate on social media after reportedly spending Rs 14 lakh on a Louis Vuitton suitcase designed for his dog. Ajay Thakore, CEO of Doctor Multimedia, shared a video on Instagram showcasing the extravagant purchase, which has since drawn mixed reactions.
In the video, Thakore is seen entering a Louis Vuitton store, stating, "I think my dog has something to pick up." He then reveals the "Bone Trunk," a bone-shaped, hard-shell suitcase complete with a varnished wooden tray and two bowls. The video’s caption read, "Aspen's always spending money like there's no tomorrow. $20k Louis Vuitton bone trunk."
The post quickly went viral, with many users expressing shock and disbelief. Some criticized the CEO’s indulgence, questioning the morality of spending such a large sum on a pet accessory when pressing issues like poverty and animal welfare exist. Comments ranged from disbelief to sharp criticism, with one user remarking, "Imagine how far $20k would go at an animal rescue." Others viewed it as a reflection of societal excess, calling it a "grotesque illustration of what's wrong in society."
However, Thakore also found support from some users, who defended his right to spend his wealth as he pleased. One commenter noted the irony of criticism coming from people who indulge in expensive gadgets, writing, "It's funny how many condemn this spending yet think nothing of buying an $800 iPhone without considering charity."
