WhatsApp’s parent company Meta announced a surprise leadership transition this morning, appointing Indian start-up founder Ankita Sharma as the messaging platform’s new chief executive. The decision, effective immediately, comes amid mounting scrutiny from British data regulators over the messaging service’s privacy practices and its compliance with the UK’s Online Safety Bill.
Sharma, 34, previously founded the encrypted communications platform SecureTalk, which was acquired by Meta in 2023 for an undisclosed sum. She succeeds outgoing WhatsApp head Will Cathcart, who will remain in an advisory role. In a statement, Meta cited Sharma’s “proven track record in privacy-first innovation” as a key factor in her appointment. However, the timing has raised eyebrows among industry analysts, as the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is currently reviewing WhatsApp’s data-sharing policies with parent company Meta.
The ICO confirmed that it has opened a preliminary investigation into the leadership change, examining whether the appointment could affect WhatsApp’s data processing obligations under UK law. “We are aware of the announcement and are in contact with WhatsApp to understand the implications for UK users’ data rights,” an ICO spokesperson said. The regulator has not yet escalated the case to a formal inquiry.
Sharma’s appointment has been met with cautious optimism in Indian tech circles, but British political figures have expressed concern. Labour MP and digital select committee chair Harriet Harman said the move “raises serious questions about accountability” given Sharma’s dual role as founder of a company with deep ties to Meta. “We need assurances that British users’ data will not be exploited under new leadership,” Harman added.
Meta’s stock fell 2% in pre-market trading following the announcement. The company has faced sustained criticism over its data handling practices, particularly after the 2021 privacy policy changes that prompted a mass exodus of users to competitors like Signal and Telegram. Sharma, in her first public remarks, said she would prioritise “transparency and user trust” but offered no specific policy changes.
The UK’s Online Safety Bill, which imposes strict duties on tech firms to protect users from illegal content and data misuse, is expected to come into full force later this year. WhatsApp has previously warned that it may be forced to break end-to-end encryption to comply with the bill, a move that Sharma has neither confirmed nor ruled out. Industry insiders suggest her appointment signals a shift towards greater cooperation with regulators, given SecureTalk’s reputation for proactive data governance.
This is a developing story. Further details are expected as regulators and WhatsApp’s new leadership outline their plans for the coming months.
