Meta and WhatsApp have escalated their legal battle against Indian competition regulators by approaching the Supreme Court to challenge the Competition Commission of India's 2024 order. The companies are contesting both the CCI's ruling and the subsequent National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) decision that largely upheld the original penalty and findings.

CCI's Original Ruling and Penalty

The Competition Commission of India imposed significant penalties and restrictions on the companies following its investigation into WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy. The regulatory action stemmed from the platform's controversial "take it or leave it" approach to user data sharing.

Privacy Policy Controversy

The dispute centers around fundamental changes WhatsApp made to its privacy policy in 2021. Unlike previous versions, the updated policy significantly altered user choice regarding data sharing with Meta and its group companies.

The key differences between policy versions highlight the regulatory concerns:

• 2021 Policy: Users required to accept data-sharing with Meta or discontinue WhatsApp service
• 2016 and 2019 Policies: Users could opt out of data sharing while continuing to use WhatsApp

The CCI ruled that this policy change constituted unfair conditions, abuse of market dominance, and denial of market access to users who preferred not to share their data.

NCLAT's Appellate Decision

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal reviewed the CCI's order and delivered a mixed verdict that provided partial relief to both parties. The appellate tribunal's decision addressed several key aspects of the original ruling.

The NCLAT clarified that while user data sharing could continue, it must be based on explicit user consent, and users must retain the option to opt out of such arrangements.

Current Legal Status

The Supreme Court has yet to schedule a hearing for Meta and WhatsApp's latest appeal. The companies are seeking to overturn both the substantial financial penalty and the regulatory findings that determined they had abused their dominant market position.

The case represents a significant test of India's competition law enforcement in the digital economy sector, particularly regarding how global technology platforms handle user data and privacy policies in the Indian market.

Major corporations are continuing workforce reductions into 2026, with three prominent companies announcing significant layoffs in recent days. Meta, Citigroup, and BlackRock have collectively announced plans to eliminate thousands of positions as part of broader restructuring initiatives focused on cost control and strategic realignment.

Meta Restructures Reality Labs Division

Meta plans to reduce its Reality Labs workforce by 10% as the company shifts resources toward artificial intelligence development. According to Bloomberg reports, the job cuts are expected to be announced later this week as part of a strategic pivot away from certain virtual reality products toward AI wearables.

The restructuring follows previous directives from Mark Zuckerberg asking company executives to identify budget reductions within the Reality Labs division. This move represents a significant shift in the company's metaverse strategy as it reallocates resources to emerging AI technologies.

Citigroup Continues Multi-Year Reduction Plan

Citigroup will lay off approximately 1,000 employees this week as CEO Jane Fraser continues efforts to control costs and improve returns. The banking giant employed around 227,000 people at the end of September, making this reduction part of a larger transformation strategy.

The current layoffs represent progress toward Citigroup's plan announced two years ago to eliminate 20,000 jobs by the end of 2026. "We will continue to reduce our headcount in 2026," the company stated, explaining that changes reflect adjustments to align staffing levels with current business needs and technological efficiencies.

Under Fraser's leadership since 2021, Citigroup has undergone comprehensive restructuring, including exiting much of its international retail business and reorganizing core operations.

BlackRock Reduces Workforce by 1%

BlackRock announced plans to eliminate hundreds of positions across the company, affecting approximately 1% of its workforce. The reduction translates to around 250 employees across various divisions as the world's largest asset management company pursues strategic priorities.

"Improving BlackRock is a constant priority. Each year, we make decisions to ensure that our resources are aligned with our objectives and that we are well positioned to serve clients today and in the future," a company spokesperson stated.

The workforce reduction comes as BlackRock's leadership emphasizes expansion into alternative investments, requiring resource reallocation to support new strategic directions.

Industry-Wide Restructuring Trends

These announcements indicate that corporate restructuring trends from 2025 are extending into 2026. The layoffs reflect several common themes:

• Technology Integration: Companies are leveraging technological efficiencies to reduce workforce requirements
• Strategic Realignment: Organizations are shifting resources toward emerging sectors like AI and alternative investments
• Cost Management: Firms continue prioritizing operational efficiency and improved returns
• Market Adaptation: Companies are adjusting staffing levels to align with current business environments

The timing of these announcements in early 2026 suggests that workforce optimization remains a priority for major corporations as they navigate evolving market conditions and technological advancement opportunities.