Context

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has fined Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Rs 213.14 crore for “abusing” its dominant position in relation to the messaging platform’s controversial 2021 update to its privacy policy.

Competition Commission of India

• A statutory body of India.
• Established: Under the Competition Act, 2002 and duly constituted in March 2009.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Structure:

• There is 1 Chairman and 6 members appointed by the Central Government.
• The Chairman and other members are full-time members.
• Eligibility of members: He should have been a judge of a High Court or is qualified to be appointed as a High Court judge, or who has at least 15 years of experience in matters relating to international trade, economics, commerce, law, finance, accountancy, management, industry, public affairs or competition, and who, in the opinion of the Central Government, is useful to the Commission.

Objectives of CCI:

• Preventing practices that hurt competition
• Maintaining competition in markets
• Ensuring fair and healthy competition in the country's economic activities
• Ensuring that a company does not abuse its dominant position in the market
• Promoting fair competition so that the market can be made a tool for the benefit of consumers

Role and Functions

• To eliminate and promote practices having adverse effect on competition, protect the interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade in Indian markets.
• Right to issue notice to organisations carrying on business in India.
• To advise on competition matters on references received from any statutory authority established under any legislation and
• To foster the spirit of competition, create public awareness and provide training on competition matters.

Challenges for CCI:

• Challenges associated with digitalization
• Need for new market definition
• Cartelization