that goes beyond Facebook ... I could name the obvious but that would only derail ... we need more education for the masses what privacy really means and how it is abused ...
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Mandatory WhatsApp Privacy Policy Update Allows User Data to be Shared With Facebook
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Just deleted my WhatsApp account. They gave the option for feedback. I obliged and will leave it at that.
I know too many people who are
A. Unaware of what privacy/security is and
B. Don't really care that companies harvest their personal info anyway.
Sad!
You’re welcome. Just seemed odd as these virtually all messaging apps (data mining or privacy focused) are not confined by borders or regional App Store restrictions.
I wonder if this’ll have any impact on WhatsApp being broadly accepted as a way to do business in some countries? I’d guess not likely ‘cuz folks are addicted to their Facebooks, but just wondering.
Ironic how most of those ignorant or blasé types in my circle (otherwise lovely people 😄) are also the same ones who forward on anti-vax conspiracy nonsense in semi-belief asking me if it’s true.
The ‘ignorance is bliss‘ policy only selectively applies it seems. In other words *adopts dodgy Scottish accent* “you can take our freedom but you’ll never take our preferred social media outlets”.
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Someone in our company threw out the idea of using Whatsapp - I put an end to it sharing my security concerns. Plus we use Teams - so we don't need another platform.
This extreme inertia is the key issue sadly. Needs to be some kind of high profile widely publicised hacking scandal to get people even to think about switching apps. If Goldman Sachs was described as a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, what does that make Facebook?
It is very sad, especially when some of those people are family members.
Too many apathetic people in the tech world. They just want to tap and go.
Whatsapp is extremely popular outside the US for communication. A lot of people in Europe including many who migrated there from the ME and Africa would be lost without it. FB is poisoning it just like they’re trying with Instagram.
Up until now it’s been a necessity to keep in touch with family on the other side of the world, this news makes it an impossibility for me
I suspect Apple doesn’t want to allow iMessage for Android because it’s one of the reasons people stay with iOS. In the UK, people have moved away from SMS and iMessage and WhatsApp has become the dominant messaging app (in part because Android messaging has been a mess).
Now would be a great time for apple to release iMessage on other platforms to entice people away from Facebook/WhatsApp. Imagine if Apple had made FaceTime cross platform before the pandemic... It would probably be as popular as Zoom and Teams right now.
Hate to break it to ya but that loyalty card... well that’s exactly what it’s for. How do you think they always manage to send you coupons for stuff you always buy?
I think your hypothesis may be correct. Apple probably would prefer to gain loyal Apple users versus just an app user.
Whatsa
WhatsApp - Now deleted.
It won't be missed.
WhatsApp's latest terms and privacy policy allows the popular messaging app to share a significant amount of user data with Facebook (via XDA Developers).
WhatsApp users are today receiving an in-app notice informing them about the app's updated terms of service and privacy policy. The notice gives an overview of the main three updates, covering how WhatsApp processes user 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 parent company's products.
The changes, which are set to take effect on February 8, 2021, are mandatory and users will not be able to continue using WhatsApp unless they accept the terms.
The new terms and privacy policy appear to build upon changes announced in July 2020, yet this previous update offered users the option to withhold their WhatsApp account information from being shared with Facebook. The latest update eliminates this option.
Users that agree to the updated terms will have their WhatsApp account registration and phone number, transaction data, service-related information, interaction information, mobile device information, IP address, and "other information identified... or obtained upon notice to you or based on your consent," shared with Facebook.
When explaining how Facebook will use this information, the policy states that shared data is used for "understanding how our services or theirs are used," "improving their services," "making suggestions for you," "personalizing features and content," and "showing relevant offers and ads across the Facebook Company Products."
The updated terms help WhatsApp to integrate more closely into Facebook's family of products, as it aims to provide a more coherent experience to users across services. While the changes help Facebook to achieve its larger goals, the high-level of data sharing that WhatsApp users will now be subject to may raise privacy concerns.
Last month, WhatsApp publicly protested Apple's requirement that developers submit information about what user data they collect for privacy labels on the App Store, saying that it could give its messaging app a competitive disadvantage.
Article Link: Mandatory WhatsApp Privacy Policy Update Allows User Data to be Shared With Facebook
WhatsApp - Now deleted.
It won't be missed.
You can jump off anytime. Your excuse is the excuse FB et al are using to keep you and your friends hooked. Just walk away. I have no social network accounts. I use email and texting. It’s easy. It’s on my terms. It’s free. And it’s freeing. Just walk away. Tell your friends you are leaving because you don’t want to be here anymore. If they are your real friends, they will understand and email or text you in future, or even join you in jumping off. If they don’t, **** em.
Why not turn the table and force people to contact you on your terms, instead of feeling like you have no choice? You do have a choice. If others want to get mad, let them throw a temper tantrum. Your privacy should not be decided upon whether or not others agree with you wanting better security and privacy.
You aren't a victim so don't act like one.