Here’s How European Privacy Regulators Are Reacting to WhatsApp’s Data Changes

Last Thursday, WhatsApp made a drastic change to its privacy policy, which allowed it to start sharing user data – including cellphone numbers – with Facebook. And 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.

It said WhatsApp users could choose not to share their account information with Facebook. The new policy disclosed the plan to share data with Facebook, while giving only existing WhatsApp users the ability to opt out of part of the data- sharing, setting off complaints from privacy activists in the US and Europe.

It’s the first step toward monetising the platform since the social network’s chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg paid $30.3 billion (US$22b) for the app in 2014.

Some are also saying that it’s a violation of an agreement reached with the FTC four years.

But many people are angry that some of their most personal information – their chats – could potentially be compromised as part of the deal with Facebook.

WhatsApp has just announced some changes in its terms and privacy policy.

By Monday several European media including France Info and Switzerland’s Le Temps warned readers about the policy change and gave them tips on how to avoid letting WhatsApp handing over their phone number to Facebook.

The policy shift may help WhatsApp generate revenue, but also could irk users drawn to its strong stance on privacy. No one, not even WhatsApp or Facebook can get access to your encrypted private messages.

WhatsApp said it “complies with applicable laws”, adding that “we look forward to answering any questions regulators or other stakeholders have about this update”.

In response, Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said: “The changes WhatsApp and Facebook are making will affect a lot of people”.

In the blog post, WhatsApp has disclosed that this data sharing will result in enhanced scrutinizing of user activity which will lead to better spam filtering.

While face book promises not to breach into our privacy, sharing of so much of personal information would some what impact us no matter what promises are made. All other information are not clarified, but are stated by WhatsApp as for “other purposes”.