New WhatsApp Policy: What changes and why it is a worry

New WhatsApp Policy popped up on many phones between 6th and 7th January 2020, but what changes are in there, and why it is a worry.

The New WhatsApp Policy Demystified

We share with you a detailed writeup on the New WhatsApp Policy by Devangshu Datta, New Delhi, which answers all your questions.

WhatsApp has announced changes to its terms of service (ToS) starting February 8. Users must agree to the changes, or they won’t be able to use WhatsApp. The last such change was as recently as January 4, 2021. WhatsApp has been a Facebook (FB) subsidiary since 2014.

Why has WhatsApp done this?

Facebook Inc has been working to integrate services across Facebook (the social platform), FB Messenger, Instagram (FB bought it in 2012) and WhatsApp. Mark Zuckerberg announced this in October 2020. Insta and FB Messenger are already integrated. The new ToS explains how businesses can use WhatsApp for B2B or B2C conversations. WhatsApp is also rolling out payment options, and FB would like to conjoin that data.

This initiative may also be rolled out in a hurry to pre-empt development in a landmark anti-trust case. The US Federal Trade Commission and multiple US states have sued Facebook for monopolist behaviour. One of the demands is that Instagram and WhatsApp be delinked from FB and perhaps spun off. The company may be hopping to provide integration as a done deal.

What does it mean for you and me?

Your privacy is impacted. WhatsApp holds some data about you. So does Facebook. Those data are in different silos. If the silos talk to each other, the company knows more. For example, it may learn that a given phone number (used for WhatsApp) is associated with the FB account (which may have a different name and /or different number associated). From February 8, FB will also be able you tie accurate location data if you give WhatsApp permission to use this.

FB can compare your contacts on WhatsApp, the interactions, and the WhatsApp groups you belong to, and compare those to FB contacts and FB activity. Plus, if you use WhatsApp transaction services, FB may be able to associate bank account, or card details that WhatsApp would pick up.

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Read the full article below on the New WhatsApp Policy.

New WhatsApp Policy What changes and why it is a worry