Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
WhatsApp asked to pay a whopping $267 million fine for breaking privacy laws
June 16, 2025
In a record fine doled out to Facebook-owned messaging serviceWhatsApp, EU regulators have asked the company to cough up €225 million (~$267 million) for breaking the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.
WhatsApp’s huge fine comes courtesy of Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC), the lead data privacy regulator for Facebook in the EU region. In alengthy summarydescribing its order, the DPC said that WhatsApp failed to provide adequate information to its users about how the company shares information with Facebook and its related companies.
The messaging platform has been ordered to update its privacy policy to ensure users are clear about data sharing practices. The Irish regulator has also reprimanded WhatsApp and asked it to take “a range of specified remedial actions.”
The initial fine on WhatsApp was supposed to be €50 million (~$59 million). However, it was later revised to €225 million after other data protection agencies asked for a heftier penalty.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp hascalledthe fine “entirely disproportionate.”
“WhatsApp is committed to providing a secure and private service. We have worked to ensure the information we provide is transparent and comprehensive and will continue to do so,” a spokesperson toldThe Verge.
The service will appeal the DPC’s decision and the case is expected to be before the Irish courts for years to come.
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
