WhatsApp’s latest terms and privacy policy allows the popular messaging app to share a significant amount of user data with Facebook (via XDA Developers).
/article-new/2021/01/WhatsApp-privacy-policy-update.jpg?resize=545%2C615&ssl=1)
WhatsApp users will receive an in-app notification today with information about the updated terms of service and the app’s privacy policy. The notice outlines the three major updates, regarding how WhatsApp processes user data, how businesses can use Facebook-hosted services to store and manage their WhatsApp chats, and how WhatsApp will soon partner with Facebook to provide deeper integrations. in all products of the parent company.
The changes, which will take effect on February 8, 2021, are mandatory and users cannot continue to use WhatsApp unless they accept the terms.
The new terms and conditions and privacy policy appear to build on changes announced in July 2020, but this previous update gave users the option to prevent their WhatsApp account information from being shared with Facebook. The latest update eliminates this option.
Users who agree to the updated terms will receive their WhatsApp account registration and phone number, transaction details, service related information, interaction details, mobile device information, IP address and ‘other information identified … or obtained upon notice to you or based on your consent, “shared with Facebook.
In explaining how Facebook will use this information, the policy states that shared data will be used to ‘understand how our services or theirs are used’, ‘improve their services’,’ make suggestions for you ‘,’ features and content, “and” display relevant offers and advertisements in the Facebook Company’s products. “
The updated terms help WhatsApp integrate more closely into Facebook’s product family as it strives to provide users with a more cohesive experience across all services. While the changes help Facebook achieve its bigger goals, the high level of data exchange that WhatsApp users now face could give rise to privacy concerns.
Last month, WhatsApp publicly protested Apple’s demand that developers provide information about what user data they collect for privacy labels in the App Store, saying it could put its messaging app at a competitive disadvantage.