Name: WhatsApp Tells Users: Share Your Data With Facebook Or We’ll Delete Your Account
Brand: forbes.com
SKU: forbes-com-139
Availability: OnlineOnly

critic

WhatsApp Tells Users: Share Your Data With Facebook Or We’ll Delete Your Account

preview

BETAThis is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by&nbsp;Jan 8, 2021,WhatsApp has told its 2 billion+ users that they must agree to share their data with in order to keep using the service.Users are being alerted to the controversial change change to WhatsApp’s privacy policy via an in-app notification asks them to agree to share personal data, including their phone number, with Facebook.“By tapping Agree, you accept the new terms, which take effect on February 8, 2021,” the notification states.“After this date, you’ll need to accept the new terms to continue using WhatsApp. You can also visit the Help Center if you would prefer to delete your account."Other data set to be shared with WhatsApp’s parent company includes “battery level, signal strength, app version, browser information, mobile network, connection information (including phone number, mobile operator or ISP), language and time zone, IP address, device operations information, and identifiers (including identifiers unique to Facebook Company Products associated with the same device or account)."Those who don’t accept the revamped privacy policy by February 8 will no longer be able to use the app.The policy update is designed to “offer integrations across the Facebook Company Products”, which also includes Instagram and Messenger, according to WhatsApp.MORE FOR YOUA WhatsApp spokesperson also said that it comes as part of a&nbsp;previously disclosed move&nbsp;to allow businesses to store and manage WhatsApp chats using Facebook's infrastructure.The new terms and conditions also means that simply deleting the app will not prevent WhatsApp from retaining a user’s private data. To ensure the service no longer continues to do this, users must instead use the in-app feature for deleting their account.&nbsp;The policy notes that even after using this delete feature, some data will remain with the company, stating: “When you delete your account, it does not affect your information related to the groups you created or the information other users have relating to you, such as their copy of the messages you sent them.”The move comes a month after Apple started requiring iOS app makers, , to detail the information they collect from users. According to the App Store, WhatsApp reserves the right to collect: purchases, financial information, location, contacts, user content, identifiers, usage data and diagnostics.&nbsp;or&nbsp;.&nbsp;my&nbsp;.&nbsp;I'm a freelance technology journalist, copywriter and editor with more than a decade of experience in the industry. I have written for a range of titles including…&nbsp;Read MoreI'm a freelance technology journalist, copywriter and editor with more than a decade of experience in the industry. I have written for a range of titles including Computer Shopper, Expert Reviews, Forbes, IT Pro, the Metro, PC Pro, TechRadar, Tes, uSwitch and WIRED. Prior to going freelance in 2020, I was editor of UK tech tabloid The INQUIRER.&nbsp;&nbsp;Read Less

BETAThis is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by&nbsp;Jan 8, 2021,WhatsApp has told its 2 billion+ users that they must agree to share their data with in order to keep using the service.Users are being alerted to the controversial change change to WhatsApp’s privacy policy via an in-app notification asks them to agree to share personal data, including their phone number, with Facebook.“By tapping Agree, you accept the new terms, which take effect on February 8, 2021,” the notification states.“After this date, you’ll need to accept the new terms to continue using WhatsApp. You can also...

public

Freelance tech journalist & editor @ITPro @TechCrunch @techradar @tes @uswitchtech @WIRED & more. full-time metalhead & beer fan

Carly Page

Official account of Forbes, the world’s leading voice for entrepreneurial success and free enterprise, and home to breaking news, business, money and more.

WhatsApp Tells Users: Share Your Data With Facebook Or We’ll Delete Your Account

No article scores yet.

CRITIC REVIEWS

PUBLIC REVIEWS