The new terms do not apply to the 'European Region'. This includes the EU, the UK and some other countries. If you go to the new terms you will see links to the separate terms for the the European Region and the rest of the world. I don't know if you'd be happy with the terms that apply to you, or if they have changed in any way, but the worst of it appears not to apply. I think this is because the EU forbade such sharing with FaceBook and they don't want to set up separate administrative centres for non EU parts of Europe. Facebook in the UK is still administered from Ireland, for example.
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WhatsApp Affirms User Privacy Following Backlash Over Data Sharing With Facebook
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Yeah, they never said a thing about not sharing contacts and such that the new policy said they would. They are just beating the bush trying to keep people fooled for as long as they can.. It surprises me how unchecked this one guy and frankly the social media platforms in general have gone.. people get arrested and tried for far, far less than this.
Care to elaborate on why you think data in Signal (specifically) or others are not safe?
IANAL, but as far as I know, the only document that matters in the end is the TOS.
If the TOS has language that even could be interpreted to mean that some of the private data (who you talk to, even message content, etc.) can be shared with Facebook, then WhatsApp is legally covered, despite putting out a separate FAQ or document indicating otherwise. Sure, it would look pretty ******, and definitely would not help in the context of a legal defense (could be seen as misleading or something), but in the end, users agreed to the TOS, not to a FAQ with pretty icons and one-liners.
The verbosity and legalese of the TOS for almost every organization have basically enabled what we have today. Sure there's plenty of us who don't like all the data collection, but ultimately, those who use Facebook (or continue to use any service they buy out and change the TOS for, or honestly, pretty much any tech service today!) agreed to the TOS, and thus agreed to all of this stuff (even if unknowingly). I only see this problem getting worse and worse, as more buyouts, more "We updated our privacy policy" prompts pop up, and more "but ma'private company!" arguments heat up the situation.
If the TOS has language that even could be interpreted to mean that some of the private data (who you talk to, even message content, etc.) can be shared with Facebook, then WhatsApp is legally covered, despite putting out a separate FAQ or document indicating otherwise. Sure, it would look pretty ******, and definitely would not help in the context of a legal defense (could be seen as misleading or something), but in the end, users agreed to the TOS, not to a FAQ with pretty icons and one-liners.
The verbosity and legalese of the TOS for almost every organization have basically enabled what we have today. Sure there's plenty of us who don't like all the data collection, but ultimately, those who use Facebook (or continue to use any service they buy out and change the TOS for, or honestly, pretty much any tech service today!) agreed to the TOS, and thus agreed to all of this stuff (even if unknowingly). I only see this problem getting worse and worse, as more buyouts, more "We updated our privacy policy" prompts pop up, and more "but ma'private company!" arguments heat up the situation.
I take it you dont use ANY applications on the internet at all then? No, wait.. you do.. you posted here....
They already signed their death warrant. When people realize how much disregard these companies have for their privacy, and how easily these social media platforms can censor and control speech, the natural reaction is to leave and find alternatives. These "social media" companies are true cancers of the earth.
It's really too bad. I remember WhatsApp was a great messaging service for everyone without iPhones that could have private encrypted messaging. Then Facebook bought them. And that sucked.
I feel for the owners that sold it to Facebook, because it would be hard for me to turn down millions (a billion?) dollars for my company... but I wish they had kept it. No telling if it would have continued to make them money....
oh well just sucks. WhatsApp could have been so great. Signal is took its place.... until they sell to Amazon or Facebook.
I feel for the owners that sold it to Facebook, because it would be hard for me to turn down millions (a billion?) dollars for my company... but I wish they had kept it. No telling if it would have continued to make them money....
oh well just sucks. WhatsApp could have been so great. Signal is took its place.... until they sell to Amazon or Facebook.
Sorry WhatsApp, you are owned by Facebook. Nothing more needs saying....
I am really encouraged that people are scrutinizing social media platforms. If mis-used, social media is the enemy of the free world no matter your stance on issues.
Their claims are hard to believe given that their business model revolves around collecting and sharing their users' data. In fact, that's precisely the reasoning they gave behind oppposing Apple's requirement that they obtain consent before collecting such data.
I installed Signal and, as I expected, only two of my contacts use it and they're also techies like me. Let's see if the non-techies of the world (i.e. the ones who aren't concerned about facebook/whatsapps shenanigans) will switch as well. I doubt it. If they really cared about privacy, they would have deleted their Facebook accounts years ago.
ya but now it seems many people are moving over, it the end of WhatsCrap.
I got my family to install Signal and use it! I'm surprised. I didn't expect that they would. Very happy!
The only thing I'm seeing is a good chunk of battery drain on my phone when using the desktop app heavily. But I guess that's what you get for end to end encryption.
I'd love an app that doesn't require my cellphone battery to drain.
The only thing I'm seeing is a good chunk of battery drain on my phone when using the desktop app heavily. But I guess that's what you get for end to end encryption.
First time I've heard of this app! The Loki foundation. Isn't Loki Thor's evil (good?) brother? lol.
I'd love an app that doesn't require my cellphone battery to drain.
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Ugh. Instagram is the only thing from Facebook on my iPhone, and even though the most recent update totally remapped all the UX for shopping, it’s still my primary way to share photos and see artists work.
This may as well say the WhatsApp affirms privacy while sharing information with government, ad agencies, or any number of third parties. Only, Facebook is probably worse. And probably already does those things, for profit, anyway. I’ve just assumed they’ve always done this with WhatsApp.
I’ve deleted WhatsApp and Messenger. I have no Facebook apps remaining. Thanks for the push, FB.
I’ve deleted WhatsApp and Messenger. I have no Facebook apps remaining. Thanks for the push, FB.
Why do you think Facebook paid billions to acquire an app that is free download and contains no visual adds? Because they needed the personal data of its users. Facebook would die when there is a massive leak and people's private life gets uploaded in github for everyone to see. That day would come and Zuckerberg would be jailed big time.
You mean underpaid. We produce the world's largest companies. Our CEOs are centi-billionaires. We are, at best, low-millionaires, and most of us have a lifestyle that looks roughly like that of Homer Simpson's (that was supposed to be a depiction of middle class America, although there's arguments that median QoL has gone way down and so Homer's life looks hopelessly out of reach for many.)
Those of us who break out don't do it by remaining software developers - we either start our own company or hit it big with lucky investment picks (IE, Tesla.)
But since their app is doing the encrypting, and FB is a very data hungry company, forgive me for not quite believing that FB themselves can't access what is being transmitted. Apple has more of my trust than a company that is leveraging a program originally made to taunt and torture fellow college students. The old adage: Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.
It comes down to trust. I have the app. I have never used it. I never will use it. I have no trust in FB, and I likely never will.
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He will play persecuted victim, the people that stole the data would be prosecuted, and life would move on. FB has had some pretty amazingly disastrous data leaks in its past, and it has survived. They will survive another one for sure. They have become the equivalent to porn, everyone claims to not see it, but everyone still looks when it's on display, and many of the people that strongly protest pornography's existence are found to be the largest consumers of it.
The public needs a sideshow. FB scratches an itch. It feeds the puriel nature for many. I fell for it. Trying to track down people I once knew. I was stalked out of the same bizarre curiosity. People I knew from high school, and college. Thank Ford, once found, I was forgotten. Some of those 'found' incidences brought back old pain and memories I'd rather not remember, hence, probably FB's original sub-purpose? And data mining their members makes them a lot of money. Who knew stalking was so addicting, and that the company users bare their lives too would find so many ways to monetize them.
I hate Google as much a Facebook and the like.
Dogs are smarter than that... 😤
Back to topic, the damage had been done. This damage control is utterly useless.
As soon as I started telling friends and families to move from WhatsApp, everyone, I mean EVERYONE, moved overnight!
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Those that care about you and want to stay in touch will respect your move away from WhatsApp. Those that really don't about about you and only want to contact you fro WhatsApp don't really care about you. Think about that.Whatsapp is so heavily used in my family and friends and colleagues, it is turning out to be a nightmare trying to move people off it with such a short time period.