Not a welcome move!According to some analysts, some people might feel “betrayed” by this move. Well, to aid them in providing “more relevant” friend suggestions and advertisements. The decision to share users’ phone numbers with Facebook is a huge change in privacy stance, and it’s one that will nearly certainly result in something of a backlash. In fact, this is something that was inevitable ever since Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014.
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WhatsApp is keen to point out that users’ encrypted messages will stay private and the California-based firm won’t post, sell, share, or give your phone number to advertisers.
WhatsApp released a blog post yesterday, announcing plans to begin sharing your information with Facebook. The company added that users would be able to opt out of sharing information with Facebook by following the steps outlined on its website.
The updated Terms And Conditions will share phone numbers of users with which the account has been verified along with the last time the service was used.
The ads would come through a Facebook program called “Custom Audiences”, which lets a business upload lists of customers and phone numbers or other contact information the business has collected from warranty cards or other sources. In a small way, it has gone back on what it said it wouldn’t do.
One change follows through on previous hints by WhatsApp executives, who have said they’re exploring ways for businesses to communicate with customers on WhatsApp. For example, a bank could warn a user about a potentially fraudulent transaction, or notifications from airlines about delayed flights. Companies will also be able send you messages directly. They will apparently be used for the greater good.
He added this helps improve infrastructure and delivery systems, secure systems and fight spam, abuse, or infringement activities.
Well, for those who are more private, this will definitely be quite scary to them as social media platforms are on the rise with making life become quite uncomfortable for the reserved lot. The company said it would test such messaging features in the coming months, but promised to avoid a “spammy experience” where people are inundated with ads, and said it would not display so-called banner ads in its app. “The communication on Whatsapp will continue to be encrypted end-to-end”, he said. It opened up its platform to third parties, letting people make payments, book taxis.
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Update: It seems the UK’s Information Commission has made a decision to take a closer look at the deal, based on the number of consumers the move affects.
