British regulators just dropped a bombshell on Meta, launching an investigation into whether the tech giant pinched on WhatsApp data during a key market review. Evidence suggests Meta’s submission was incomplete or inaccurate, raising red flags on compliance.
Last year, we carried out a review of the wholesale market for business bulk SMS messages, which are often used for things like appointment reminders and parcel delivery notifications.
Ofcom’s move spotlights growing tensions over how Big Tech handles business messaging info. As WhatsApp boasts over 3 billion global users (as of March 2025) and powers 2.3 billion daily messages as of January 2026, accurate data is crucial for fair competition.
Market Context
The review assesses competition in bulk SMS, where WhatsApp challenges incumbents like Twilio, which provides reliable communications and data-driven interaction for more than 335,000 active customer accounts and over 10 million developers globally.
Ofcom’s action aligns with EU probes, including a December 2025 antitrust case over WhatsApp AI policies that drew a $266 million fine earlier.
However, the WhatsApp disagreed;
“We disagree with the decision today regarding the transparency we provided to people in 2018 and the penalties are entirely disproportionate,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said. “We will appeal this decision.”
Similarly, in response to the statement, a Meta representative stated that the firm takes its regulatory obligations seriously and has spent “significant resources” responding to information requests.
A Meta spokeswoman stated in an email.
We will cooperate with Ofcom in its investigation.
What’s Next?
Meta could face stricter audits, while businesses may see disrupted API access if violations are confirmed. This case tests how strongly the UK enforces data rules after Brexit, with closer alignment to the EU potentially improving transparency. A successful outcome could weaken WhatsApp’s advantage by pushing for clearer disclosures and fairer competition.
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