WhatsApp to start sharing user data with Facebook
WhatsApp has announced that it will be
updating its terms and privacy policy today, the first time in four years and
since it was acquired by Facebook. As part of the new terms, the company will
be sharing more user data with Facebook.
According to WhatsApp, it will be tracking
user metrics to check on things like how often people use their services to
"better fight spam on WhatsApp". Your number will also be linked to
Facebook, so when you use Facebook you will see friend suggestions of people
you know and more targeted ads.
WhatsApp reiterated that WhatsApp itself will
not show ads, that your conversations are end to end encrypted meaning only you
and the person you are talking to is privy to it and not even WhatsApp and
Facebook, and that your number will not be handed over to advertisers.
For now, these changes are opt-in, meaning
you will be asked to share your account info, and you can choose not to. The
option will appear as a popup to users once it starts rolling out.
Apart from this no other change has been
announced for the product.
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