Facebook has received reactions about its plans to implement a new privacy policy that will force users to share their private data with WhatsApp, their messaging app.
Last week, WhatsApp notified its users of updates to its terms of use and privacy policy that include letting Facebook and its affiliates collect their data.
The information includes the user’s phone numbers, location, contacts in the address book and financial transactions made on WhatsApp.
Users can accept the changes immediately or file this decision until later. On February 8, however, the messaging app will be inaccessible to those who have not accepted the new rules. WhatsApp has been owned by Facebook since 2014.
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The changes have caused concerns about data collection and privacy.
Questions are raised about what information WhatsApp collects from its two billion users and what it shares with its sister companies such as Facebook, Messenger and Instagram.
Mugambi Laibuta, who advises companies on privacy and data protection, has tweeted that Whatspp’s new data rules were contrary to the 2019 Kenya Data Protection Act.
Express consent
“If you do not accept the new conditions, do not enjoy the service … This goes against the principle of free consent,” he tweeted. “Ideally according to the Data Protection Act, we have the right to oppose the actions of WhatsApp … WhatsApp wants to use our data for commercial purposes. According to Article 37, they must obtain the express consent of us in the event of a violation of the law. ”
Rival messaging apps like Telegram have sent sarcastic messages at the expense of WhatsApp. Yesterday, Telegram tweeted a GIF of dance bearers with an image of the new WhatsApp data rules superimposed on the coffin.
But WhatsApp has defended its new policy by saying the data will be used to personalize advertising.
“Facebook and other companies in the Facebook family may also use our information to improve your experiences with their services, such as product suggestions (for example, from friends or connections or interesting content) and to display relevant offers and announcements. “said the company.
Since WhatsApp notified the changes, downloads of Signal, a rival messaging app, have increased, making the app the most downloaded in the App Store.
Signal was developed by one of the creators of WhatsApp, Brian Acton, who sold his app on Facebook in 2014. He left the firm in 2017 and co-founded Signal Foundation, which develops Signal.
WhatsApp has tried to clear the air. “It is important to be clear that this update describes business communication and does not change WhatsApp data sharing practices with Facebook.
“It doesn’t affect the way people communicate privately with friends or family wherever they are in the world,” Will Cathcart posted on WhatsApp on Twitter.