French Data Watchdog CNIL Opens Probe Into Clubhouse App

France’s data-protection watchdog said it’s opened a probe into private social media app Clubhouse following a complaint.

French regulator CNIL said on Wednesday it questioned Alpha Exploration Co. Inc., the U.S. company behind the invite-only app, about the measures taken for the app to comply with EU rules on March 12.

CNIL said the probe aims to confirm whether the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation applies to Clubhouse, even though it has no establishment in Europe. If so, the watchdog could make use of its sanctioning powers, it said.

The probe follows concerns voiced by one of Germany’s most outspoken ...