Given the number of users on WhatsApp, it is no doubt a treasure trove of information for companies like Facebook that thrive on user information to help sell personalized ads. For those worried about WhatsApp sharing data with Facebook, it looks like your nightmare is about to come true.
According to a report from XDA Developers, they have spotted changes to WhatsApp’s privacy policy in which it basically says that sharing your data is more or less mandatory if you want to use the app. It also confirms that the data that WhatsApp shares with Facebook will be used for personalized ads.
Some of you might recall that several years ago, WhatsApp attempted to pull off a similar move but due to the backlash, the company U-turned on their decision and gave users the option to opt out of data sharing, but these policy changes suggest that it will no longer be an option. We should point out though, that WhatsApp relies on end-to-end encryption.
This means that only you and the recipient of your messages can see its contents, so it’s not as if WhatsApp will be datamining your messages to show you targeted ads. However, we imagine that it is still quite an invasion of privacy and if you’re uncomfortable with these changes, that are expected to go into effect next month, then perhaps it’s time to start considering other messaging apps.
Filed in . Read more about Apps, Facebook, Privacy and Whatsapp. Source: xda-developers