WhatsApp is shaking hands with Facebook (NYSE:FB) to share your information

However, in a post today, they explained that Facebook would have access to users’ phone numbers (but not their WhatsApp numbers), among other, less-specific data as they “coordinate more” with Facebook. Global messaging service WhatsApp says that it will share the phone numbers of its users so that they could soon start seeing more targeted ads on Facebook.

For examples, WhatsApp claimed the data sharing would allow banks to contact users about potentially fraudulent transactions or an airline notifying travelers about a delayed flight. Facebook matches the list to users with the same information and shows them ads.

Facebook will help WhatsApp “track basic metrics” about usage which can better fight spam and abuse.

“We want to explore ways for you to communicate with businesses that matter to you too, while still giving you an experience without third-party banner ads and spam”, it wrote in a blog post.

“The updated documents also reflect that we’ve joined Facebook and that we’ve recently rolled out many new features, like end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp Calling, and messaging tools like WhatsApp for web and desktop”, says the firm.

If you do not want your account information shared with Facebook, you can uncheck the box or toggle the control. WhatsApp has always been proponent of user privacy, a focus that attracted a fair few users to the service, and this will nearly certainly be seen by some as WhatsApp stepping back from the strict privacy guidelines it once held. WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum has tried to keep users calm by saying that protecting users’ privacy is coded in the company’s DNA.

Facebook has already been exploring these sorts of use-cases with Messenger, and WhatsApp suggested it would follow the same path earlier this year. Sure, the language is always carefully crafted to make it sound like Facebook’s doing you a favor by trying to serve you ads that you might actually be interested in, but in my experience, most people in the Internet aren’t interested in any ads.

“Existing users who accept our updated Terms and Privacy Policy will have an additional 30 days to make this choice by going to Settings Account”.