Whatsapp has recently been the subject of criticism after a changed to its terms and conditions that allowed the app to share personal data with Facebook. This change has been made despite promises by its co-founder Jan Koum that Whatsapp would never collect or share personal data.
Since the change, US-based Electronic Privacy Information Center (Epic) has filed a complaint against Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) and Whatsapp for violating a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consent order. EPIC has accused them of lying to consumers about the use of their data ahead of the sale of Whatsap.
What does Whatsapp say?
Whatsapp updated its Frequently Asked Questions on their site to include questions about the updated Terms of Service.
It said some data would be shared, including phone numbers and online statuses, in order to improve ad experiences, accurately count user numbers and fight spam. It read:
“We plan to share some information with Facebook and the Facebook family of companies that will allow us to coordinate more, such as to fight spam and abuse”
“Nothing you share on WhatsApp, including your messages, photos, and account information, will be shared onto Facebook or any of the Facebook family of apps for others to see.”
However, this is in stark contrast with co-founder Jan Koum’s statement ahead of Facebook’s takeover of Whatsapp in 2014.
“We don’t know your birthday. We don’t know your home address. We don’t know where you work. We don’t know your likes, what you search for on the Internet or collect your GPS location. None of that data has ever been collected and stored by WhatsApp, and we really have no plans to change that… It has the effect of scaring people into thinking we’re suddenly collecting all kinds of new data… our future partnership with Facebook will not compromise the vision that brought us to this point,” Koum wrote.
Can I opt out?
Whatsapp has given users 30 days to opt out of the new sharing requirement once the terms of service have been accepted. Just go to Account on the Whatsapp app, and uncheck Sharing Info.
However, it seems that some information will still be shared. After clicking Learn More, it says:
“The Facebook family of companies will still receive and use this information for other purposes such as improving infrastructure and delivery systems, understanding how our services or theirs are used, securing systems, and fighting spam, abuse, or infringement activities.”