Hot topics

WhatsApp: No data sharing with Facebook in the EU region

WhatsApp novoddddss
© nextpit

Read in other languages:

The year started with some disturbing news for many WhatsApp users. This is because an update to the terms of use, which was first rolled out in the US, allows data from WhatsApp to be shared with Facebook in the future. However, it has now been announced that this will not be the case in the EU region.

In recent notifications within the app, WhatsApp informed its users about the new terms of service. However, WhatsApp spokespeople have now clarified to various media outlets that there "will be no changes to WhatsApp's data-sharing practices in the European region (including the UK), resulting from the updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy."

Speaking to Golem, a spokeswoman for the company also commented, "to be clear: it remains the case that WhatsApp in the European region does not share WhatsApp user data with Facebook to improve Facebook products or advertising." The question why exactly this is currently explicitly allowed in, for example, the German version of the privacy policy, hasn't been answered yet.

Are you now switching to another messenger?
View results

Separate update for EU users

WhatsApp's announcement thus causes a lot of confusion for users in the European region. The company also told WinFuture that there is a separate update to the terms of service in the EU "according to which WhatsApp users' data will continue not to be shared with Facebook."

Hopefully, by February 8th, 2021, when the new terms of service are supposed to take effect, the company will provide more concrete details within the app – and not just in the form of brief notices to the media – for its users.

Changes caused a rush to competitors

WhatsApp and Facebook's announcement caused a rush in the past few hours to rival messengers that can be seen as alternatives to WhatsApp, despite the exceptions for users in Europe.

For example, the developers of Signal reported via Twitter that the transmission of verification codes could only be delivered with delays. By now, however, they claim to have already solved these problems.

One of the reasons for this rush may not least have been a tweet by Tesla CEO Elon Musk to his nearly 42 million followers. In a message from January 7th, he simply wrote: "Use Signal." He did not mention WhatsApp or Facebook by name. Musk, however, had been critical of the company more often in the past.

Source: Golem, WinFuture

 The best smartphones under $400

  Editorial tip Price tip 3rd place 4th place 5th place
Product
Image Google Pixel 6a Product Image Apple iPhone SE (2022) Product Image Samsung Galaxy A53 Product Image OnePlus Nord N20 Product Image Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Product Image
Review
Review: Google Pixel 6a
Review: Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Review: Samsung Galaxy A53
Not yet tested
Not yet tested
Price (MSRP)
  • $449.00
  • $429.00
  • $449.99
  • $299.00
  • $399.00
Offer*
Go to comment (0)
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
No comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing