Last week, Whatsapp announced a major adjustment to its privacy security terms and will share private information with its parent company, Facebook, including relevant data such as the user's e-mail address. Lei Feng Network (search "Lei Feng Network" public concern) has also done relevant reports on this matter. I thought this was the first step for WhatsApp to enter into commercialization. However, things are now turning a new turn.
Recently, the US Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) pointed out that WhatsApp's practice violated the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC)'s consent order and stated that they were preparing to file a complaint with the FTC asking WhatsApp to stop sharing user data with Facebook. EPIC said that when WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook in 2014, it had claimed that the acquisition would not affect its own privacy security policy, but it has now lapsed.
In response, WhatsApp explained that their reason for sharing user data with Facebook was to enable users to communicate with interested companies, and that their communication content still had end-to-end encryption protection. However, beyond the setting of the terms, how the user's data will be used will indeed cause unpredictable legal disputes. EPIC chairman Marc Rotenberg said that many users choose to register for WhatsApp because WhatsApp can provide a better privacy and security policy, so he believes that the FTC to protect the original user is committed to privacy.
Not only is EPIC, the UK information specialist is also investigating whether WhatsApp's policy updates are in line with the country's data protection laws. However, it seems that Facebook still has confidence in the adjustment. The company’s spokesperson said that the company has taken into consideration the obligations it needs to perform when planning the operation.
Extended reading:
Is WhatsApp safe after giving data to Facebook?