WhatsApp/Facebook Data Sharing: Pants On Fire?
WhatsApp is forcing users to agree to a new pile of legalese. Your only option is to close your account.
The point seems to be to allow Facebook to share your WhatsApp data with its other properties. In other words: to make more money out of your attention and bombard you with more ads.
But that’s exactly what it promised not to do. On several occasions. In today’s SB Blogwatch, we watch Zuck’s clothes burn.
Your humble blogwatcher curated these bloggy bits for your entertainment. Not to mention: post-postmodern.
Pinky Swear
What’s the craic? Pranob Mehrotra reports—“WhatsApp updates its Terms … to mandate data-sharing with Facebook”:
WhatsApp users are receiving an in-app notice [that] talks about three key updates that affect how WhatsApp processes your data, how businesses can use Facebook hosted services to store and manage their WhatsApp chats, and how WhatsApp will soon partner with Facebook to offer deeper integrations across all of the latter’s products. It further reveals that these changes will go into effect on February 8th, and users will have no choice but to accept.
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Here’s all the information WhatsApp will share with other Facebook companies: “[It] includes your account registration information (such as your phone number), transaction data, service-related information, information on how you interact with others (including businesses) … mobile device information, your IP address, and may include other information identified in the Privacy Policy.” … [That includes] “Helping you complete purchases and transactions, and showing relevant offers and ads across the Facebook Company Products; and providing integrations which enable you to connect your WhatsApp experiences with other Facebook Company Products. For example, allowing you to connect your Facebook Pay account to pay for things.”
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[It] builds upon a similar change WhatsApp announced in July. … However, in the previous update, WhatsApp gave users the option to “not have your WhatsApp account information shared with Facebook.” With the latest update, WhatsApp has done away with this option, and users will have to accept.
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While the changes may help the company provide “better” services, it raises several privacy concerns that don’t bode well for Facebook’s “Privacy-Focused Vision” for Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
Huh? Explain like I’m 5. Sergiu Gatlan compresses it into nine words—“Share your data with Facebook or delete your account”:
”Respect for your privacy is coded into our DNA,” the company said earlier this week. “Since we started WhatsApp, we’ve built our Services with a set of strong privacy principles in mind.”
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WhatsApp is now giving its users a harsh ultimatum. [It’s] definitely a 180-degree turn when compared with last year’s privacy policy. … Users will now be forced to accept sharing their data with Facebook to continue using their account. … WhatsApp will now share the users’ data … even if the users do not have a Facebook account.
Wait, what? Why? Dan Goodin got an A+ at J-school—“WhatsApp gives users an ultimatum”:
A WhatsApp spokeswoman declined to speak on the record. … The move, the spokeswoman said, is part of a previously disclosed move to allow businesses to store and manage WhatsApp chats using Facebook’s infrastructure. Users won’t have to use WhatsApp to interact with the businesses and have the option of blocking the businesses. She said there will be no change in how WhatsApp shares provides data with Facebook for non-business chats and account data.
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[But the] privacy policy and terms of service are more than 8,000 words long and are filled with legal jargon that makes it difficult for non-lawyers to understand. WhatsApp is doing its users a disservice by not agreeing to speak on the record.
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People who object to the new terms and policy should consider using a different messenger.
Yeah, right. A waspish Framljamitz thinks that’s unrealistic:
90%+ of existing WhatsApp users will shrug and agree to the new terms without a second thought. On the shoulders of this phenomenon ride the likes of many “modern” robber barons. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.
So, yeah, all my friends use it. But Apple_Robert don’t care, suggesting the nuclear option:
You might as well give Facebook admin rights on your computer and allow them to remote access anything they want using TeamViewer. … If all your friends use WhatsApp, consider getting better, informed friends who care about privacy.
But Carewolf breaks out the popcorn:
They tried to do [this] years ago, right after the purchase, but stopped when the EU reminded them it was not only in itself illegal, but specifically against the deal they made with the EU to allow Facebook to purchase WhatsApp. It seems they need to be reminded again.
“Illegal”? Starouscz explains:
Isn’t this illegal Under GDPR in Europe? Sharing information that is not strictly necessary requires [informed] consent. … I thought it must not lead to refusal of service if you don’t.
Wait. Pause. zilchfox speaks the truth, allegedly:
Not gonna lie, I kind of already assumed this was the case.
Meanwhile, Piotr Machacz—@pitermach has a longer memory:
Remember when they said it wouldn’t happen? Hahahaha … those were some good jokes.
And Finally:
Scott is still into you, even without his PMJ chums
You have been reading SB Blogwatch by Richi Jennings. Richi curates the best bloggy bits, finest forums, and weirdest websites … so you don’t have to. Hate mail may be directed to @RiCHi or [email protected]. Ask your doctor before reading. Your mileage may vary. E&OE. 30.
Image sauce: Erik Mclean (via Unsplash)
