WhatsApp can still use data

Mumbai: From Sunday, WhatsApp will have complete freedom to share your information with Facebook and its group of companies.

Facebook subsequently matches the list to the users with the same information to show relevant advertisements.

There is a September 25 deadline for those who want to opt out of the data exchange although it’s unclear what precise time the two companies have picked for the transfer.

After two Indian students challenged this move with a PIL against WhatsApp and Facebook, the Delhi High Court slammed the service on September 23 and directed it to delete and refrain from sharing all user data who have opted out of the messaging service before the September 25 deadline.

India now joins the European Union and the US Federal Trade Commission in the examination of privacy intrusion and information. A German consumer group too had threatened to sue over privacy rules.

About the “choices” users have WhatsApp said users can “choose not to have your WhatsApp account information shared with Facebook”.

“Existing users who accepted our updated Terms and Privacy Policy will have an additional 30 days to make this choice by going to Settings>Account,” it added. However, users should be warned that there are no reversal options after September 25, 2016. There’s more.

The chat service says, “Facebook will still use this information for other purposes like improving infrastructure and delivery systems, understanding how our services or theirs are used, securing systems, and fighting spam.”

This only means some information will still go to Facebook and WhatApp says, “We will share some of your information with Facebook like the phone number you verified when you registered with WhatsApp, as well as the last time you used our service”.

Going by available information, users probably have today to either opt out or stay linked. To protect safeguard users’ privacy, WhatsApp said that they are allowing users to oblige and not use the service if they do not feel safe in their information being shared with Facebook.

WhatsApp had said on its blog, “Today, we’re updating WhatsApp’s terms and privacy policy for the first time in four years, as part of our plans to test ways for people to communicate with businesses.”

While the new move to share contact details with FB is strictly against WhatsApp’s policy, it has assured users that it would not sell, share, or give users’ phone number to advertisers. “We won’t share your WhatsApp number with others, including on Facebook, and we still won’t sell, share, or give your phone number to advertisers,” the blog added.

You probably have today to act on it and either opt out or get hooked. To protect your interest and safeguard privacy, WhatsApp said that they are allowing users to oblige and not use the service if they do not feel safe with respect to their information being shared with Facebook.