14 DAY TRIAL // WhatsApp is said to be one of the most popular chat applications out there, due to its end-to-end encryption of messages and multiple features for protecting conversations. But a recent move has raised privacy concerns for many users.
Apparently, WhatsApp decided to share user data with Facebook for targeted advertisement purposes. The app even updated its terms and conditions policy to accommodate the new measure, for the first time in four years.
When Facebook bought WhatsApp in October 2014, it was said that the application wouldn't compromise on user safety and privacy, but it seems that things have changed in the meantime.
Nevertheless, users are given the option to opt out of the company's new privacy policy. And last week, the Delhi High Court from India ordered WhatsApp to delete data collected from users who opted out of the policy before September 25.
Officials from Germany also requested Facebook to delete WhatsApp user information
It seems that WhatsApp doesn't plan to comply with the court order and has said that it will have "no impact on the planned policy and terms of service updates,“ according to Mashable. Two Indian students reported the case at the High Court, saying that the new terms of service would compromise the rights of over 100 million active WhatsApp users in the country.
WhatsApp intends to share user account information with Facebook, including mobile phone number, contacts, profile pictures, and status messages.
India isn't the first country where WhatsApp might have to deal with governmental officials on the matter. A few days ago, we reported that the Hambourg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information ordered Facebook to delete user data shared from WhatsApp.
Apparently, WhatsApp has potentially shared user information on 35 million users in Germany. The Commissioner accused Facebook of infringing the data protection law, as users didn't provide effective approval for sharing the sensitive information. Facebook responded saying that it's currently working with the Hamburg DPA to solve any concerns.