WhatsApp says it will share some data with Facebook for ads & other purposes
Messaging service WhatsApp on Thursday updated its user terms and privacy policy, revealing that it will start sharing phone numbers and some analytics data with its parent company, Facebook.
The change will let WhatsApp record metrics about how people use its service, as well as combat spam, the company said. On Facebook, though, phone numbers will be used to help push targeted ads, as well as improve friend suggestions.
WhatsApp is promising not to share message contents, which should already be encrypted end-to-end regardless. It also claims it won't post phone numbers on Facebook, or share them elsewhere, such as with advertisers.
People who want to opt out of the new terms can do so by unchecking a box when presented with them. If users have already agreed, they can still opt out within 30 days by toggling them off under WhatsApp account settings.
Despite safeguards the new terms could cause some users to jump ship for other secure messaging apps like Telegram, Signal, or Apple's iMessage if they own a Mac or iOS device. All three use end-to-end encryption.
The change will let WhatsApp record metrics about how people use its service, as well as combat spam, the company said. On Facebook, though, phone numbers will be used to help push targeted ads, as well as improve friend suggestions.
WhatsApp is promising not to share message contents, which should already be encrypted end-to-end regardless. It also claims it won't post phone numbers on Facebook, or share them elsewhere, such as with advertisers.
People who want to opt out of the new terms can do so by unchecking a box when presented with them. If users have already agreed, they can still opt out within 30 days by toggling them off under WhatsApp account settings.
Despite safeguards the new terms could cause some users to jump ship for other secure messaging apps like Telegram, Signal, or Apple's iMessage if they own a Mac or iOS device. All three use end-to-end encryption.
Comments
start using "Signal" more, its encrypted too
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_(software)
I'm going with Signal , and deleted whats app, Signal works on iOS and Android and is encrypted end to end
WHATSAPP PROMISES YOU WILL BE GETTING TEXTS FROM ADVERTISERS WHO PAY TO ACCESS YOUR PHONE! of course that was reason why Facebook wanted you to enter your mobile number for months. I suggest you remove that link if you don't want your account abused by fucktard: Mark Zuckerberg.
The anti privacy advocate Zuckerberg is an order of magnitude worse than Google. Facebook has a far more sophisticated level of target advertising to tempt advertisers with and knows all your friends!
So exactly what kind of service, on their phones,will users be getting then? More calls and texts from advertisers trying to sell stuff obviously. I can't wait for the EU to stamp all over Facebook for this obvious antiprivacy move.
IT may already be too late. even if you delete WhatsApp, if you entered your true mobile number into Facebook in the last year, then they know your number and can start texting and calling your phone with target texts robo calls. The only solution may be to delete Facebook account and even then it may be too late! Better get a new mobile number as well.
this is the final straw for me. I just deleted my FACEBOOK account
http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/27/11795248/facebook-ad-network-non-users-cookies-plug-ins