WhatsApp updates it's privacy policy; data sharing with FB

[Ink]

Content source

https://www.techradar.com/in/news/whatsapp-has-updated-its-privacy-policy-your-choice-is-to-accept-it-or-delete-app

WhatsApp asking them to either accept its new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy by February 8 or lose access to the app.

You can't stop WhatsApp sharing info with Facebook​

One of the major changes envisaged relates to its data collection. “When a user forwards media within a message, we store that media temporarily in encrypted form on our servers to aid in more efficient delivery of additional forwards,” WhatsApp said on its site.

The new terms of service and privacy policy also makes sharing information with Facebook mandatory for WhatsApp users. Prior to the update, existing users were provided with the option to choose not to have their WhatsApp account information shared with Facebook.

Read more here - WhatsApp Legal Updates

WhatsApp Legal Updates

WhatsApp Messenger: More than 2 billion people in over 180 countries use WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends and family, anytime and anywhere. WhatsApp is free and offers simple, secure, reliable messaging and calling, available on phones all over the world.

www.whatsapp.com

--
Inb4; Telegram, Signal, Wire.

For the millions that rely on WhatsApp, it's not as easy as saying just to "Switch to.."

 

[rndmblk]

Does this mean any change for those that use WhatsApp but not Facebook?

 

[Marko :)]

Wait a second! Didn't some EU court, some time ago, forbid Facebook sharing/exchanging WhatsApp user data? I can already see headlines EU fines Facebook for...

 

[HarborFront]

It's great that all my friends use Telegram, and WhatsApp is only needed to communicate with my mother.

You sure Telegram is great? Read below

Telegram Triangulation Pinpoints Users’ Exact Locations

The "People Nearby" feature in the secure messaging app can be abused to unmask a user's precise location, a researcher said.

threatpost.com

 

[Ink]

Does this mean any change for those that use WhatsApp but not Facebook?

I believe so. You need to accept before February 8th, 2021. WhatsApp is under the Facebook umbrella.

You sure Telegram is great? Read below

Telegram Triangulation Pinpoints Users’ Exact Locations

The "People Nearby" feature in the secure messaging app can be abused to unmask a user's precise location, a researcher said.

threatpost.com

Fortunately, this is disabled by default.
Without dismissing the "bug", it does not make Telegram a bad choice for users.

One flaw doesn't make the company evil, or less great. (edited).

 

[HarborFront]

I believe so. You need to accept before February 8th, 2021. WhatsApp is under the Facebook umbrella.


Fortunately, this is disabled by default.
Without dismissing the "bug", it does not make Telegram a bad choice for users.

One flaw doesn't make the company evil, or less great. (edited).

Actually, Telegram is not safe to use

Hong Kong protesters warn of Telegram feature that can disclose their identities

Message shared on discussion boards sparks panic among protesters.

www.zdnet.com

 

[Ink]

I don't see your point.

(edited)

A common theme with the previous links, both are directed towards sharing data with the others (location sharing and public group chats). The more data you expose yourself to, the higher the risk.

If an agency requests data from Google, it does not make Google unsafe.

 

[ForgottenSeer 78429]

For the millions that rely on WhatsApp, it's not as easy as saying just to "Switch to.."

More than 400 millions indians use whatsapp and have a most of them will instantly click Accept button. And you can not make them switch to another service just because Whatsapp changed its privacy policy, i have tried it. They will come up with very famous quote "I have nothing to hide".

 

[Marko :)]

Wait a second! Didn't some EU court, some time ago, forbid Facebook sharing/exchanging WhatsApp user data? I can already see headlines EU fines Facebook for...

Looks like there won't be any headlines because this isn't affecting users in EU.

Spoiler

 

[gery79]

bigbrother saga continues

 

[Vasudev]

More than 400 millions indians use whatsapp and have a most of them will instantly click Accept button. And you can not make them switch to another service just because Whatsapp changed its privacy policy, i have tried it. They will come up with very famous quote "I have nothing to hide".

Declined the t&c at first but my muscle memory clicked on agree the second time. Might be looking at alternatives...

 

[jackuars]

The move to Telegram will now be easier, considering that there are millions on the channel already who are using it for pirating movies & web series.

Angry Users Switch to Telegram After WhatsApp's New Policy Sparks Privacy Fears

Miffed at the policies, many users poured their anger through memes and declared that they are uninstalling WhatsApp and switching to Telegram now.

www.india.com

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Nice comparison of Messaging Apps

Secure Messaging Apps Comparison | Privacy Matters

This site compares secure messaging apps from a security & privacy point of view. These include Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Skype, Signal, Simplex, Google Messenger, Threema, Riot, Wire, Telegram, and Wickr

www.securemessagingapps.com

 

[ForgottenSeer 89360]

This is affecting users in the UK severely, as “due to Brexit” our data is now moved to the US jurisdiction and thus we lose the GDPR...

 

[jackuars]

Nice comparison of Messaging Apps

Secure Messaging Apps Comparison | Privacy Matters

This site compares secure messaging apps from a security & privacy point of view. These include Facebook Messenger, iMessage, Skype, Signal, Simplex, Google Messenger, Threema, Riot, Wire, Telegram, and Wickr

www.securemessagingapps.com

Signal, Threema, Wickr and Wire seems to be the best among privacy and security. Threema is a paid app, so that won't be popular anytime soon. Among the other 3, Signal is the most popular and the only one that seems to give Telegram and Whatsapp a tough fight.

It would be nice to see a comparison of features between Signal, Telegram & Whatsapp.

As far as data collected goes, here's a comparison

Spoiler

WhatsApp

• Device ID
• User ID
• Advertising Data
• Purchase History
• Coarse Location
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• Contacts
• Product Interaction
• Crash Data
• Performance Data
• Other Diagnostic Data
• Payment Info
• Customer Support
• Product Interaction
• Other User Content

Facebook Messenger

• Purchase History
• Other Financial Info
• Precise Location
• Coarse Location
• Physical Address
• Email Address
• Name
• Phone Number
• Other User Contact Info
• Contacts
• Photos or Videos
• Gameplay Content
• Other User Content
• Search History
• Browsing History
• User ID
• Device ID
• Product Interaction
• Advertising Data
• Other Usage Data
• Crash Data
• Performance Data
• Other Diagnostic Data
• Other Data Types
• Browsing History
• Health
• Fitness
• Payment Info
• Photos or Videos
• Audio Data
• Gameplay Content
• Customer Support
• Other User Content
• Search History
• Sensitive Info
• iMessage
• Email address
• Phone number Search history
• Device ID

Signal

• None. (The only personal data Signal stores is your phone number, and it makes no attempt to link that to your identity.)

Telegram

• Contact Info
• Contacts
• User ID

 

[Lightning_Brian]

Wait a second! Didn't some EU court, some time ago, forbid Facebook sharing/exchanging WhatsApp user data? I can already see headlines EU fines Facebook for...

I was thinking the same thing @Marko :)

Looks like there won't be any headlines because this isn't affecting users in EU.

Spoiler

Seems like everyone wants a piece of the information pie these days via data mining. Sadly.. Its getting pretty hard to keep that digital 'footprint' small now-a-days. Doesn't matter where the companies are US, UK, EU, Asia etc etc. Just about everyone (or so it seems) wants to do a little somethin' for data mining/collecting.

~Brain

 

[Vasudev]

Just today, I got scam messages offering more money just by working for 10min to 1 hr and another messages just after I opted to Agree to Whatsapp's new T&C.
Will be migrating within a month.

 

[ForgottenSeer 78429]

Just today, I got scam messages offering more money just by working for 10min to 1 hr and another messages just after I opted to Agree to Whatsapp's new T&C.
Will be migrating within a month.

Now I will never accept Whatsapp's new T&C. I thought that I will use Signal and Whatsapp side by side becuase some of my friends aren't switching. But after this I think they will switch to Telegram or Signal.

 

[amirr]

 

[Marko :)]

Well, looks like I'm the only one that won't switch. I'm from EU country so I don't really see the reason to switch, but I completely understand everyone that wants to. If I was outside EU, I would too.

Also, it looks like we completely forgot Viber. It has fair share of users here; I'd say it's right behind WhatsApp.