NCLAT Reshapes Meta's India Ad Ecosystem: Explicit Consent for WhatsApp Data

• NCLAT ruled that WhatsApp user data requires explicit, purpose-specific, and revocable consent for advertising in India.
• The ruling significantly impacts Meta's advertising business by restricting cross-platform data sharing between WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
• The tribunal rejected bundled or feature-based consent, mandating detailed disclosures on how WhatsApp data is used for advertising.
• This decision positions India as a uniquely restrictive market for behavioral advertising, potentially affecting other tech giants like Google.
• WhatsApp has three months to comply with the NCLAT's clarified directions, leading to a significant reset in India's digital advertising ecosystem.

Why It Matters: NCLAT ruling: Explicit consent for WhatsApp data empowers users, reshapes India's ad market.