A few days ago we all got the message. WhatsApp just updated its privacy policies on February 8 with a change that included sharing your data with Facebook to create a more comprehensive user profile. Without a doubt, the situation generated various reactions and doubts, which WhatsApp had to clarify
Taking into account user behavior and migrations to other instant messaging platforms, the Facebook-owned company shared an entry on its blog. He specifies that the update of the policy “This in no way affects the privacy of messages that users share with friends and family and it only includes changes related to messages sent to businesses through WhatsApp.”
WhatsApp says new policies only include corporate messaging
WhatsApp insisted that updating the data does not affect the privacy of the messages in any way. According to the company, the renewal includes changes related to a company’s messaging on WhatsApp
- WhatsApp cannot see your private messages or listen to your calls; Facebook either.
- WhatsApp cannot see or share your location; Facebook either.
- WhatsApp groups remain private.
- WhatsApp does not share your contacts with Facebook.
- WhatsApp does not keep logs of who everyone is texting or calling.
- Users can upload their data.
- Users can schedule automatic deletion of their messages.
These policies imply that all information shared in personal discussions remains between participantsbecause personal messages are protected by end-to-end encryption. For example, when someone sends their location to another person, it is protected by encryption, which means that no one except the one who received the address can see it.
They also ensure that they do not store message and call data, because they believe that the logs of 2 million users would pose a risk to both privacy and security.
Regarding contacts, they stress that: “When you give us permission, we only access phone numbers in your address book so messaging is fast and reliable, and we don’t share your contact lists with other apps offered by Facebook.”.
In another section, WhatsApp answered questions on messaging with businesses and how WhatsApp works with Facebook, categorized as follows:
Facebook hosting services: “We provide the ability to use secure Facebook hosting services to manage WhatsApp chats with your customers, answer questions and send useful information, such as purchase receipts. But whether users contact a business by phone, email, or WhatsApp, that business will be able to see the information shared with them and use it for their own marketing purposes, which could include the use of Facebook advertising. “
New commercial functions: “More and more people are showing an interest in online shopping. With Facebook branded business features like stores, some businesses will be able to display their products directly on WhatsApp so people can see what items are available for sale … Features like this are optional, and when users choose them, they will be informed in the app how their data is shared with Facebook. “
Discovery of the company: “Users can see an ad on Facebook with a button to send a message to a business that uses WhatsApp. If they have WhatsApp installed on their phones, they will have the option to send a message to that company. Facebook may use information about how they interact with these ads to personalize the ads they see on Facebook. “
