WhatsApp, the global messaging service, has said that they will soon begin sharing the phone numbers of its users with the company that now has ownership of them… Facebook! This could result in WhatsApp users seeing more targeted ads on their Facebook account – not necessarily on the messaging service itself.
The move is a slight but substantial change for WhatsApp, which has long promised to protect the privacy of more than 1 billion users around the world. WhatsApp is giving users a limited time to opt out of sharing their information with Facebook, although they must take the extra step of unchecking a box to do so. It also states that Facebook won’t post phone numbers online or give them out to anyone.
WhatsApp has released new documentation that describes the company’s privacy policy and the terms of service that users must agree to follow. These documents are the first revision of those policies since 2012, before Facebook actually acquired WhatsApp.
These changes will now allow companies to send marketing offers or messages about sales to individual customers, according to the revised documents, which note that users will be able to control or block such messages. However, WhatsApp hs clearly outlined that it will continue to keep away from traditional display ads from its service.
Another change which sparks controversy is that WhatsApp has also said that it will begin “coordinating” accounts with Facebook by sharing WhatsApp users’ mobile phone numbers and device information, such as the type of operating system and other smartphone characteristics while stating that Facebook will make us of the phone numbers internally to better identify WhatsApp users on Facebook to assist with the recommendation of friends or show targeted advertising.
The ads will feature through a Facebook program called “Custom Audiences,” which allows businesses to upload lists of customers and phone numbers or other contact information the business has collected from warranty cards or other sources. Facebook will then match the list to users with the same information and send through the ads to them. Facebook has also made the point that it will not be giving out users’ information to any advertisers.
WhatsApp says current users have up to 30 days to accept the new policy terms or stop using the service. Once they accept, they have 30 more days to opt out of sharing with Facebook.
