Facebook has received backlash over its plans to implement a new privacy policy that will force users to share their private data with WhatsApp, its messaging app.
Last week, WhatsApp notified its users of updates to its terms of use and privacy policy, which include allowing Facebook and its affiliates to collect their data.
The information includes the user’s phone numbers, location, phonebook contacts and financial transactions made on WhatsApp.
Users can either accept the changes immediately or withdraw this decision later. Until February 8, however, the messaging application will be inaccessible to those who will not accept the new rules. WhatsApp has been owned by Facebook since 2014.
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The changes have raised concerns about data collection and confidentiality.
Questions are being asked about the information that WhatsApp collects from the 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, posted on Twitter that Whatsapp’s new data rules are against Kenya’s Data Protection Act, 2019
Express consent
“If you do not accept the new terms, do not enjoy the service … This is contrary to the principle of free consent,” he wrote on Twitter. “Ideally, according to the Law on Data Protection, we have the right to oppose WhatsApp actions … WhatsApp wants to use our data for commercial purposes. According to section 37, they must obtain our express consent, otherwise they are against the law ”.
Rival messaging apps, such as Telegram, have sent sarcastic messages at the expense of WhatsApp. Telegram sent a GIF of shovel bearers dancing with an image of the new WhatsApp data rules superimposed on the coffin yesterday.
But WhatsApp has defended its new policy by saying that the data will be used to personalize advertising.
“Facebook and other companies in the Facebook family may also use information from us to improve your experiences with their services, such as product suggestions (e.g., friends or connections or interesting content) and relevant offers and advertisements, ”said the company.
Since WhatsApp notified the changes, Signal downloads, a rival messaging app have grown, making it the most downloaded app in the App Store.
Signal was developed by one of the creators of WhatsApp, Brian Acton, who sold his app to Facebook in 2014. He left the company in 2017 and co-founded Signal Foundation, which develops Signal.
WhatsApp tried to clear the air. “It is important for us to be clear that this update describes business communication and does not change the practices of sharing WhatsApp data with Facebook.
“It has no impact on how people communicate privately with friends or family wherever they are in the world,” Will Cathcart posted on WhatsApp on Twitter.