WhatsApp to share users' phone numbers with parent firm Facebook

Messaging service WhatsApp has updated its global privacy policy, and it will now share phone numbers of users with its parent company, Facebook.

While the move will help Facebook offer more targeted advertisements on its own platform, WhatsApp will continue to be ad-free, a WhatsApp spokesperson told PTI.  He added that this is the first time that WhatsApp has updated the user privacy policy after being acquired by Facebook in 2014 in a $19-billion deal.

Privacy advocates had raised concerns that Facebook would start mining WhatsApp accounts for data. However, both the companies have maintained that WhatsApp would operate separately from the parent company and that its user data would not be shared without their consent.

WhatsApp has over one billion users globally, with a significant chunk coming from India. Facebook also runs photo-sharing platform, Instagram.

"As part of the Facebook family of companies, WhatsApp receives information from, and shares information with, this family of companies. We may use the information we receive from them, and they may use the information we share with them to help operate, provide, improve, understand, customise, support, and market our services and their offerings," the spokesperson said.

He added this helps improve infrastructure and delivery, secure systems and fight spam, abuse, or infringement activities.

WhatsApp will begin to "coordinate" accounts with Facebook by sharing WhatsApp users' mobile phone numbers and device information like the type of operating system and other details about the smartphone, he said.

This means that if a person has the apps of Facebook and WhatsApp installed on the same device, even with different phone numbers, Facebook will now be able to map the two in the background using the basic device information.

"However, it is important to note that WhatsApp messages will not be shared onto Facebook for others to see nor will it be shared with third parties. In fact, Facebook will not use users’ WhatsApp messages for any purpose other than to assist us in operating and providing our services. The communication on Whatsapp will continue to be encrypted end-to-end," he said.

Asked about how Facebook will use the information, the spokesperson said: "We may use the information on Facebook for things like making suggestions about friends, content or showing relevant offers and ads."

Another important change in the policy is that businesses will now be allowed to create accounts on WhatsApp.

"We will explore ways for users and businesses to communicate with each other using WhatsApp. This means that you may receive flight status information for upcoming travel or receipt for something you purchased. We want to test these features over the next several months, but need to update our terms and privacy policy to do so," he said.

The spokesperson said the focus will remain on ensuring that users are not spammed and that users can block such messages adding that "WhatsApp will continue to be ad-free".

Current users will have up to 30 days to accept the new policy terms. Once they accept, they would have 30 more days to opt out of sharing with Facebook.
Looking ahead for WhatsApp