Because of its data and privacy missteps, Facebook often faces greater punishment in Europe than it does in the U.S. Another example occurred this week when German regulators ordered Facebook to stop processing the data of WhatsApp users.

Recently, WhatsApp users began receiving a message that invited them to accept new terms of service that would allow the app to share data with Facebook. However, according to German regulators, this policy change isn’t legal.

“The order is intended to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the many millions of users throughout Germany who give their consent to the terms of use,” German regulator Johannes Caspar said in a statement. “The order now issued refers to the further processing of WhatsApp user data. Global criticism of the new terms of use should give rise to a fundamental rethink of the consent mechanism. Without the trust of the users, no data-based business model can be successful in the long run.”

Not surprisingly, Facebook says that the regulators’ claims are wrong, and that it remains “fully committed to delivering secure and private communications for everyone.” However, the social media giant will likely have to do more than just release a statement in order to convince officials that this is true.

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