WhatsApp under scrutiny as Germany probes messaging apps: Report

Facebook Inc.’s WhatsApp and other messaging services will be investigated by German regulators, who will check how they handle users’ personal information and whether the ability to send messages between different providers could. strengthen confidentiality.

The German Federal Cartel Office said on Thursday it had opened a sector inquiry into courier services, citing possible violations of consumer protection law. He said the investigation could also help regulators “better understand” whether allowing apps to send messages to each other might prompt users to choose services that do more to protect privacy.

“It is questionable whether and to what extent these services protect personal data,” Andreas Mundt, chairman of the regulator, said in the statement.