WhatsApp mandatory data sharing with Facebook

  • Thread starter Thread starter LiE
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LiE

LiE

LiE

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Obviously this was going to happen, even though I'm sure it was denied as part of the acquisition.

What are peoples thoughts on this? Time for everyone to move to something else?

https://www.xda-developers.com/whatsapp-updates-terms-privacy-policy-mandate-data-sharing-facebook/

The information we share with the other Facebook Companies includes your account registration information (such as your phone number), transaction data, service-related information, information on how you interact with others (including businesses) when using our Services, mobile device information, your IP address, and may include other information identified in the Privacy Policy section entitled ‘Information We Collect’ or obtained upon notice to you or based on your consent.
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:eek:

You have to agree or cannot use it.
 
tom_nieto said:
Well, if Facebook have access to message content (and voice conversation data) then users need to seriously reconsider using this service in a professional context. The amount of handover and confidential information (over voice conversations) is quite staggering within the NHS.
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Messages are still encrypted. They will know everything else though. Who, when, how often, etc.
 
malachi said:
Unless you are paying for an messaging app then what are people expecting if you use their services without a fee :confused:
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Problem is you don’t have a choice. I think if there were an option to pay for the app and have zero data harvesting many people would do that.
 
Looks like Signal is getting a boost.

Encrypted messaging app Signal says it’s seeing a swell of new users signing up for the platform, so much so that the company is seeing delays in phone number verifications of new accounts across multiple cell providers.


As for what or who is responsible for so many new users interested in trying the platform, which is operated by the nonprofit Signal Foundation, there are two likely culprits: Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Signal competitor WhatsApp.
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https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/7/2...atsapp-facebook-privacy-controversy-elon-musk

Some interesting stuff in this article. Looks like in Europe it won't be enabled and it's already been happening since 2016 for a lot of users.
 
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Smeghead said:
if you are truly opposed to it, you have to be content with using alternatives which have less features/content/smaller user base, and you're content with micromanaging multiple unconnected ecosystems (which in turn brings less convenience, less 'flow' between the different products under one umbrella company), otherwise I don't really see any getting away from it.
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Apple is very privacy focused these days, it eliminates a lot of the main data gatherers. Use iMessage, Safari, an iCloud email account and change search engine.

I get way too much benefit from a lot of the Google services, my entire home runs on Google home for example. My sons school insists on using Google classroom. My wife is fully in Google ecosystem, so we have a shared calendar.
 
Trying Signal, pretty decent app. Got my top people I message to move over as well so can easily remove WhatsApp now.
 
WhatsApp and Facebook messenger removed (FB account was deactivated 6 years ago). Instagram will be a bit more difficult.

I will use iMessage and Signal going forward.
 
Somnambulist said:
Installed all the alternatives, both to have a play and because you never know which will be deemed problematic and be removed from the internet next. So far despite Elon shouting out Signal, Telegram seems a bit more fleshed out.
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Yea I prefer Telegram as well. The cherry stickers are actually amusing.
 
Freefaller said:
I've been using signal for a while and I don't use facebook (well I have an account under a fake name, but don't post anything) - it's going to hamper me talking to people, but I still have text messages and phone calls and email if people want to get in touch.
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Will send nudes
 
The Signal desktop app is pretty bad too compared to Telegram desktop app. Telegram you can also run it on multiple devices like an iPad, 2 phones etc using the same phone number.
 
What I realised is that the majority of my contacts have iPhones, so we are messaging using WhatsApp out of habit. Since removing WhatsApp, I'm using iMessage way more.

Only my wife has Android, and we now use Telegram.
 
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