WhatsApp Messenger is notifying users of some policy changes that will require them to share data with Facebook. In a new in-app notification sent to users, the Facebook-owned messaging app says, “you’ll need to accept these updates to continue using WhatsApp.”
The policy changes will go into effect from February 8th, and users who won’t accept the new terms will be blocked from using the app.
WhatsApp policy changes in-app notification/ Image:TechArena
According to the new privacy policy, WhatsApp will share the following data with other Facebook products:
“your account registration information (such as your phone number), transaction data, service-related information, information on how you interact with others (including businesses) when using our Services, mobile device information, your IP address, and may include other information identified in the Privacy Policy section entitled ‘Information We Collect’ or obtained upon notice to you or based on your consent.”
Facebook says the new policy changes are intended to help improve their services. Such data will, for instance, be used to customize features and content, aid in completing purchases and transactions, and let the company show you “relevant offers and ads” across different Facebook Company Products.
This is the first time Facebook is forcing WhatsApp users to share data with its major social media platform, something that the company had agreed not to do when it acquired the messaging app for a whopping $19 billion in 2014.
But it’s not the first time the social media giant has made such moves. Back in 2016, Facebook started sharing WhatsApp users’ data with its core platform by default. At that time, however, the company let users turn off data sharing within 30 days.
Major changes now are that you have to accept the company’s new privacy policies or get out.
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