WhatsApp updated private policy - Do you care?

WhiteMemento9

WhatsApp will re-introduce controversial new privacy policy

WhatsApp plans to re-introduce the updated privacy policy that ignited a massive backlash against the Facebook-owned messaging app. The company said it will notify users of the new privacy policy “in the coming weeks,” and provide more information about the changes before requiring users to agree to the new terms.

“In the coming weeks, we’ll display a banner in WhatsApp providing more information that people can read at their own pace,” WhatsApp writes in a blog post. “We’ve also included more information to try and address concerns we’re hearing. Eventually, we’ll start reminding people to review and accept these updates to keep using WhatsApp.”

The new privacy policy enables more sharing of data between WhatsApp and Facebook. There has been confusion about exactly what data will be shared, however. WhatsApp insists that messages sent on the platform by private users will remain end-to-end encrypted, meaning they will still be private. But messages sent to and from business users of WhatApp may be shared. The app can also collect data on individual users’ phone contacts, location, device, and IP address.

The changes to WhatsApp’s privacy policy have been controversial, with many users unhappy about the privacy implications. The detractors include the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, Elon Musk, who has been a prominent critic of Facebook and last month encouraged his 42 million Twitter followers to use encrypted messaging app Signal instead of WhatsApp.

It now turns out they will begin deactivating accounts that have not opt-ed in before a certain date.


Apple has recently said they will blocking all data collected by the Facebook app on IOS devices which has caused a major war between the two companies.

Do people care? Will you move to use a different service such as Signal. It does all of the same stuff, is opensource and transparent, and doesn't share any of your data. It seems like a no-brainer thing that is only currently held back by the inertia of people to change as it only becomes a viable option when the majority of people start switching.

I’ll just press Agree and continue using a messaging service where the vast majority of my contacts are.

WhiteMemento9

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

I’ll just press Agree and continue using a messaging service where the vast majority of my contacts are.

I think this will be where the vast majority lie at the moment. I don't think it would take much for the spillover from one platform to the other to reach a critical mass that would have people thinking the same in reverse. I am a little unsure how European GDPR deals with all this and if it can even be forced on European users.

It feels wrong though that a service can grow so large that it has become the standard global accepted form of communication in a particular area and then change its policies to exploit that user base knowing there will be inertia change due to the reason you mentioned. This isn't like other areas where changing service providers is relatively easy without the need for others to also do the same. It would be nice for once if we could all say **** you together to show that the power here is still with the users and if you don't listen to them then people will be willing to change to alternatives.

ablelocks

I'd love to move but am tied in to a good few club/community groups. It was me who set some of them up in the first place, and it was hard enough to get parents to install whatsapp - if i suggest we move to telegram/signal they probably won't bother - the majority of them are on facebook anyway so won't have a concern about privacy.

r93kaey5p2izun

So far I have just clicked not now, or whatever. I usually don't worry about these sorts of agreement just assume they're all nefariously stealing my data. But I had read that this is even more nefarious than usual so would like to opt out, but I need it for work.

kiffer

ablelocks wrote: »

I'd love to move but am tied in to a good few club/community groups. It was me who set some of them up in the first place, and it was hard enough to get parents to install whatsapp - if i suggest we move to telegram/signal they probably won't bother - the majority of them are on facebook anyway so won't have a concern about privacy.

Don't worry about moving them, the best situation is to have different people on different services. Getting Everyone onto one service was the problem in the first place.
By spreading over several you never end up with one of them being so important you can't just dump it.

WhiteMemento9

kiffer wrote: »

Don't worry about moving them, the best situation is to have different people on different services. Getting Everyone onto one service was the problem in the first place.
By spreading over several you never end up with one of them being so important you can't just dump it.

This is actually one very valid reason to have a decentralized messaging service and maybe a great use case for that area in general. I don't think anything in that space has been proved at scale with ease of use that would facilitate mass adoption.

All the players currently use central servers. Signal is opensource though so we can verify its integrity in areas like data privacy, collection and encryption so it is a big step in the right direction from WhatsApp.

I would really like to know how Facebook is justifying this gathering of data. The line that has always been used by the company is that they are improving the service. What are they doing to improve WhatsApp with this data? People log in to read and send messages. What service are you looking to improve within WhatsApp with all this data you are mining?

WhiteMemento9

I have to say I am quite stunned at the number of people in the poll relative to how many have voted who say they simply don't care what data these companies collect.

Skylinehead

As far as I am aware, these changes don't apply to Europe.

magic_murph

Do people care? Will you move to use a different service such as Signal. It does all of the same stuff, is opensource and transparent, and doesn't share any of your data. It seems like a no-brainer thing that is only currently held back by the inertia of people to change as it only becomes a viable option when the majority of people start switching.[/QUOTE]

Signal is free for now.... how long can a company last without making money from either ad revenue, monthly subscription or selling user data.

Only a matter of time

bigar

Skylinehead wrote: »

As far as I am aware, these changes don't apply to Europe.

It's bizar that so many seem to ignore or be unaware of this fact.

mfceiling

I don't have a Facebook account but I use WhatsApp.

What can they do with my data...a message to my mam "all good at home?"

My brother "Talking to Alan yesterday... he's split up with the missus"

Workmates "that job is getting on my nerves"

Added to the stupid/funny videos that do the rounds.

Good luck with that.

mfceiling

mfceiling wrote: »

I don't have a Facebook account but I use WhatsApp.

What can they do with my data...a message to my mam "all good at home?"

My brother "Talking to Alan yesterday... he's split up with the missus"

Workmates "that job is getting on my nerves"

Added to the stupid/funny videos that do the rounds.

Good luck with that.

They use it to create a shadow profile. Even though you've never been on Facebook they've got a profile for you already with all your info, connections, contacts, locations visited and even sites visited (the Facebook like button is there to spy even if you never click it)

Cienciano

Probably a good thing if people stop using it, hopefully this is the start. Problem is, facebook will probably just buy up any alternative messaging app that gets too big.

magic_murph

mfceiling wrote: »

I don't have a Facebook account but I use WhatsApp.

What can they do with my data...a message to my mam "all good at home?"

My brother "Talking to Alan yesterday... he's split up with the missus"

Workmates "that job is getting on my nerves"

Added to the stupid/funny videos that do the rounds.

Good luck with that.

Even without using FB they have an absolute mountain of information on you and its scary how many people don't realise the reach FB have

WhiteMemento9

Cienciano wrote: »

Probably a good thing if people stop using it, hopefully this is the start. Problem is, facebook will probably just buy up any alternative messaging app that gets too big.

This is where a decentralized messaging service is the answer.

Ubbquittious

I think ill uninstall the c*nt. Have been wanting a good excuse to get rid of it for years now

WhiteMemento9

WhatsApp to cut off Irish users if they don’t agree to more interaction with Facebook and local businesses