The company re-iterated its commitment to privacy and said users who had the latest version of the app could rest assured their messages have the protection of end-to-end encryption, meaning no one else can access them.
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One change was hinted at previously by executives at WhatsApp who said they are exploring ways for different business to communicate with their customers on the messaging service. The change in privacy policy goes against a previous public commitment not to share data in this way.
“And by connecting your phone number with Facebook’s systems, Facebook can offer better friend suggestions and show you more relevant ads if you have an account with them”.
The update, which marks it’s first in four years, means that WhatsApp now have the right to SHARE YOUR NUMBER with it’s owners, Facebook.
Pic: APThe UK’s Information Commissioner (ICO) is looking into WhatsApp’s decision to share more data with parent company Facebook.
Facebook attempts to capitalize on its ownership of WhatsApp, the social chat platform with over one billion users globally.
Denham said ICO planned to “pull back the curtain” and ensure both Facebook and WhatsApp were providing users with the requisite transparency.
If you have already agreed to the update, you have 30 days to change your mind. Not WhatsApp, not Facebook, nor anyone else.
“We’ve been informed of the changes”.
“But by coordinating more with Facebook, we’ll be able to do things like track basic metrics about how often people use our services and better fight spam on WhatsApp”.
While organisations did not need to get prior permission from the ICO to change how they handle personal data, any change had to remain within data protection laws, she added.
It will share phone numbers and the details of the last time that users signed on to WhatsApp, with Facebook. “We are looking into this”.
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“Our belief in the value of private communications is unshakeable, and we remain committed to giving you the fastest, simplest, and most reliable experience on WhatsApp”, the company said.
