WhatsApp to Share Users’ Information with Facebook

Facebook Inc’s prevalent messaging service, WhatsApp will start sharing users’ phone numbers with its parent. Consenting for more pertinent announcements and friend approvals on the social network.

WhatsApp to Share Users’ Information with Facebook

The step is WhatsApp’s first apprise to its confidentiality strategy as it was attained by Facebook in 2014. It will also discover means for businesses to send messages using its platform over the next several months.

Also Read: WhatsApp Introduces End-to-End Encryption to its Communication Services

WhatsApp said in a blog post,

“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.”

However, WhatsApp appealed that the users’ messages would stay private even as it increase dexterity with its parent company.

“Even as we coordinate more with Facebook in the months ahead, your encrypted messages stay private and no one else can read them.”

The statement added.

WhatsApp will also be sharing the data with the “Facebook family of companies”. So apparently its user records could also be fed to VR firm Oculus Rift, another Fb procurement, and photo-sharing network Instagram.

WhatsApp data that will be shared under the new T&Cs comprises the phone number a user used to authenticate their account, and the last time they used the facility.This is certainly a massive step-change for a service that has usually prided itself on supporting user privacy. Including finalizing a rollout of end-to-end encryption through its whole service earlier this year.

However it’s not clear from the WhatsApp blog post if other user data will be public with Facebook. The wording proposes this is totally probable. Though if a user has updated to the latest version of the app, which end-to-end encrypts all content, then their messaging content at least cannot be shared.

How to Partially Opt out of Sharing Data for Facebook Ad Targeting

Opting out of the data-sharing entirely does not seem to be probable. But WhatsApp is proposing a limited opt out, explicitly for Facebook ad aiming and product-related determinations.

First of all if you haven’t already approved the new T&Cs you can decline before assenting to the new terms by tapping to read the full terms of service and privacy policy. Scroll to a control at the end of the text. There’s a check-box option for sharing the information which you then untick before striking agree.

Those who have already acknowledged the new T&Cs without unchecking the box to share your information with Facebook, WhatsApp is also proposing a thirty-day opening to make the same choice through the settings page in the app.

Hence there is no way to completely opt out of the data sharing.