WhatsApp update will bring this MAJOR change that’s set to cause controversy
WHATSAPP fans will be getting a brand new update soon, which looks set to come with one controversial change.
WhatsApp users will soon be able to download a brand new update, and it will come with one big change that is set to cause controversy.
WhatsApp has had a busy start to 2018.
The Facebook-owned chat app enjoyed record amounts of use at the start of the year, with a staggering 75billion messages sent on New Year’s Eve 2017.
The stats underline how many people use WhatsApp, and even more messages could have been sent if the service didn’t go down for two hours on NYE.
At the start of the year WhatsApp users have also been teased about new features heading to the chat app, including a video call switch button.
It's also been reported that WhatsApp could soon let Instagram users post stories directly into the chat app as a status.
This would surely be a popular change, especially considering the backlash Snapchat has experienced with recent changes to its Snapchat Stories feature.
However, it’s been reported that WhatsApp is planning one change that looks set to cause controversy amongst its huge number of users.
WABetaInfo claims to have got hold of the latest Terms of Service (ToS) for WhatsApp.
And the new ToS highlights that WhatsApp will soon start sharing user data with ‘Facebook companies’, Gadgets360 reported.
The alleged Terms of Service says: “The Facebook Companies (which include WhatsApp) are a group of companies that are owned by Facebook.
“Other Facebook Companies provide services to WhatsApp so that we can operate and provide our Services.”
It adds: “When we share your personal information with other Facebook Companies, it will only be used to provide services to WhatsApp on our behalf in accordance with our instructions and terms or to help ensure the safety, security, and integrity of WhatsApp and other Facebook Company Products.
“Nothing you share on WhatsApp, including your phone number, will be shown on Facebook or any of the Facebook Company Products, unless you choose to show it.”
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The alleged new ToS leaked after WhatsApp submitted the latest 2.18.57 version of its app to the Google Play beta programme.
Express.co.uk has contacted WhatsApp for comment.
Back in 2016, WhatsApp also changed its Terms of Service, letting Facebook see the phone number people have associated with their WhatsApp account.
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This crucial change enabled the Californian social network to link and track profiles between the two services, helping Facebook gather more data for its advertisements and improve security measures.
The updated terms of service triggered outrage though, with many users stating the update broke a promise WhatsApp had made to users when it was bought by Facebook back in 2014.
The chat app had previously claimed it would never share user data with the social network.
Last December, France’s CNIL privacy watchdog ordered WhatsApp to stop sharing user data with Facebook.
After investigating the updated ToS, CNIL ruled that while the intention to improve security measures was valid, WhatsApp’s aim to gather business intelligence was not.
According to the CNIL, “It was observed that the company WhatsApp actually transfers data concerning its users to the company Facebook Inc., for ‘business intelligence’ and security purposes.
“Thus, information about users such as their phone number or their use habits on the application are shared.”
The French regulatory body added: “The Chair of the CNIL considered that the data transfer from WhatsApp to Facebook Inc. for this ‘business intelligence’ purpose is not based on the legal basis required by the Data Protection Act for any processing.
“In particular, neither the users’ consent nor the legitimate interest of WhatsApp can be used as arguments in this case.”
