WhatsApp the messaging service that is now worldwide said it would begin sharing phone numbers of its users with its parent company Facebook.
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It was announced that users of WhatsApp have been given a short time to opt out of having their information shared with Facebook, although an extra step must be taken of going and unchecking a box.
According to Motherboard website, there are two ways you can do that, but this must be done BEFORE you accept the messaging app’s new terms of service. In the new update, WhatsApp will share the date with Facebook, the company that now owns it. Additionally, Facebook will know your WhatsApp number and give you “better” friend suggestions and show you more relevant ads. Again, no need for alarm.
Click on the account tab on the settings menu in the app, press on the account tab and click on a “share my account info” button.
WhatsApp says the update is “part of our plans to test ways for people to communicate with businesses [on Facebook] in the months ahead”.
Since 2012, WhatsApp has regularly updated its legal policy to include a number of changes.
You still won’t see banner advertisements on WhatsApp, similar to what you may see on other messaging app.
For years, WhatsApp’s founder Jan Koum insisted that it wouldn’t be used to harvest data for advertisers.
Privacy advocates had raised concerns that Facebook would start mining WhatsApp accounts for data.
Existing users have 30 days to opt out by following instructions offered by the platform here.
We’ve been informed of the changes.
“Organizations do not need to get prior approval from the ICO to change their approaches, but they do need to stay within data protection laws”, said Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham. In 2014, the US Federal Trade Commission warned the companies against changing how they employed user information without their consent. We are looking into this.
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If you’re not impressed by Whatsapp’s decision you can of course (unlike telecom and broadband) stop using the company’s services.
