“Well, advertising is the answer!” Why all the trouble of changing the privacy policies and talk about sharing personal data? As an example, a bank will be able to contact a customer about a potentially fraudulent charge. It said those updates are needed to begin testing messaging features from businesses over the next several months. Both the options are available for both Android and iOS apps.
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WhatsApp announced last week that it was planning to provide some user data to Facebook for use in ad targeting, unless users choose to opt-out. Back then a considerable number of users dropped the service fearing their privacy with Telegram reportedly the biggest benefactor. “In addition, they will be targeted with more advertisements”, Sanchit Gogia, CEO, Greyhound Research said.
WhatsApp is giving users a limited time to opt out of sharing their information with Facebook, although they must take the extra step of unchecking a box to do so. Exactly how Facebook ads will improve with WhatsApp information is left unclear. The messaging application encrypted its conversations earlier this year, a move that made its users feel safer and more private.
In a media release today, BDO Limited cautioned: “On Thursday, August 25th, WhatsApp updated their Terms of Services agreement and requested each user to “Agree” to the new terms”.
Experts rubbished such fears. The ratio is really tight yet the former generates nothing in form of revenue. In the coming days, you may see more tightened security plus more accurate alters and notifications.
It also reassured users by saying that it would not sell, share, or give users’ phone numbers to advertisers.
Can you opt out of this Facebook info-sharing? Doing so is relatively simple, and can be done in one of two ways. But it will not guarantee total privacy.
Facebook is going to start hoovering up your WhatsApp data and using it for ads. However, WhatsApp has clarified that data would still be shared “for other purposes such as improving infrastructure and delivery systems; understanding how our services or theirs are used; securing systems; and fighting spam, abuse, or infringement activities”.
WhatsApp says current users have up to 30 days to accept the new policy terms or stop using the service.
But who cares to read the changes, terms and conditions right?
Hypocrisy, for starters. When Facebook bought the messenger service, WhatsApp had said that privacy of users’ data would be paramount.
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Why is there a need to share such data?
